HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker College men's basketball team fell to the visiting Mars Hill University Lions 69-65 on Saturday (Jan. 9) in South Atlantic Conference action.

The Cobras darted out to an early 7-0 lead in the first three and half minutes and extended that lead to 13 with 5:41 left in the first half, leading 26-13. However, Mars Hill used a 17-7 run the remaining of the half to cut the Coker lead to just three (33-30) as the teams headed to the locker rooms for the half.

The two teams would trade buckets to begin the first half until the Lions converted on a four-point play at the 10:14 mark to tie things up at 43-43. Mars Hills used that moment as a momentum boost, propelling them on a 17-6 run over the next eight minutes and taking a 60-49 lead with 2:44 left in the game. An Aubrey Daniel lay in with 42 seconds left cut the deficit to just five, but Mars Hill would respond with four made free throws down the stretch to secure the four-point victory.

Daniel had a stellar game, pouring in a career-high 21 points and snatching down 13 rebounds, including 10 offensive rebounds. Donte Samuels extended his double-digit scoring streak to nine, finishing with 13 points and nine rebounds. Off the bench, Nathan Lemke chipped in 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Cobras will be back in action on Wednesday (Jan. 13) when they take on the visiting Newberry College Wolves at 8 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game- Aubrey Daniel