ANDERSON, S.C. - The Coker College men's basketball team toughed out an 82-76 victory over the Anderson University Trojans Saturday (Feb. 24) afternoon in South Atlantic Conference action. The victory was the final regular season game of the season.
The first half of action was a back and forth battle with the largest lead of the frame reaching six points in favor of the Trojans. Coker continued to narrow the gap and finished the half on an 8-2 run to take a 46-43 lead into the locker rooms. Three-pointers from Khalil Halls and Marquis Green, followed by a layup from Jake Barrett formed the run.
Trailing 66-64 with 7:54 remaining in the second half, the Navy and Gold strung together an eight-point run to retake the lead 72-66. Free throws made by Barrett and Larry Cooper, a jumper from Donte Samuels, and a three-pointer from Green created the run.
Coker kept their distance from Anderson the rest of the way and drained crucial free throws with short time remaining to seal the victory.
Green led the Cobra scoring effort, knocking down a team-best 19 points, dishing out two assists, and adding five steals on the defensive end. Cooper recorded his second double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Other Cobras making significant contributions on the offense end were Samuels (15 points), Halls (14 points), and Barrett (10 points).
The Navy and Gold have qualified for the SAC Championships that begin on Wednesday (Feb. 28) and will wait for conference action to wrap up today for their seed.