Cobras Drop Overtime Battle to Bulldogs in Quarterfinals of SAC Championships

Cobras Drop Overtime Battle to Bulldogs in Quarterfinals of SAC Championships

WINGATE, N.C. - The No. 5 seed Coker College men's basketball team dropped a overtime battle to the No. 4 seed Wingate University Bulldogs 76-75 Wednesday (Feb. 28) evening in the quarterfinals of the South Atlantic Conference Championships.

Trailing 37-33 just 20 seconds into the second half, the Cobras strung together a 12 point run to take a 45-37 lead over the Bulldogs. Khalil Halls knocked down two three-pointers, while Marquis Green, Donte Samuels, and Jake Barrett added buckets during the run.

Wingate eventually stormed back to take a 68-67 lead with 21 seconds remaining in the game, their first lead since the start of the second half. With 12 seconds remaining in regulation, Halls tied the game at 69 with a tip in, and the Cobras and Bulldogs headed to overtime.

Towards the end of overtime, Samuels pulled up from 18 feet and drained a jumper for a 75-74 Coker lead with 40 seconds remaining. Next, Wingate recorded the go-ahead basket and held on for the victory.

Halls led the Cobras offensively with a season-high 27 points and added six rebounds. Samuels recorded a double-double, knocking down 16 points and collecting 12 rebounds. Additionally, Demarco Jackson made significant contributions on both ends of the floor, tallying 12 points and hustling for four steals. As a team, the Cobras dominated on the boards, collecting 47 rebounds compared to Wingate's 34.

The loss will conclude the 2017-18 season for the Coker College men's basketball team.