Men's Basketball Falls at Mars Hill on Buzzer-Beater in Conference Action on Saturday

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Coker University men's basketball team fell by way of the buzzer-beater on Saturday (Feb. 1) in South Atlantic Conference action at Mars Hill by a score of 75-74.

Coker led 8-7 through the first media timeout, before Mars Hill would take an 18-15 lead to the under-12 media horn. The two teams played to a 22-22 deadlock with nine minutes to play in the half, before the Cobras would take a six-point lead into the final five and a half minutes of the period. The Cobras would extend their lead to eight with under two minutes to play in the first half with a Malcolm Kennedy three-pointer, before taking a 36-30 lead to the half.

The Cobras came out in the second half and extended their lead to as many as 10 in the first two minutes, before Mars Hill cut the lead down to five two and a half minutes in. Coker rebuilt a nine-point lead with 14 minutes to play, before Mars Hill would get back within seven a short time later. Coker went back up by double-digits on a Chris Swiney triple with 12 and a half minutes to play, before extending their lead further with a KJ Harris layup. Mars Hill would claw their way back into single digits with under eight minutes to play, before two consecutive scoring possessions with under seven minutes to play got the Lions back within four. The Lions would rally to take a 66-65 lead with under four minutes to play, before a good free throw from Dakota Jennings tied the game at 66. Two free throws from Harris would put the Cobras up 70-67 with a minute and a half to play, before Mars Hill would rally to tie the game at 70 with 47 seconds left. On the next trip down the floor, Kennedy knocked down a clutch triple to put the Cobras up 73-70. Ja'Shawn Brooks made two free throws to get the Lions within 73-72, before Harris  would make one of two at the line to put the Cobras ahead 74-72 with the Lions getting the ball back. Brooks would drill a three-pointer with two seconds left to give the Lions the comeback victory.

Kennedy and Jennings each posted a team-high 18 points in the game, while Chandler Lindsey contributed 12 points and Chris Swiney also chipped in 11 points. Four other Cobras scored in the game. Harris led the Cobras with a career-high seven rebounds, while Lindsey also pulled down six rebounds in the game. Seven other Cobras were active on the glass in the game. Harris and Jennings each dished out a team-high three assists in the game, while three other Cobras each registered one assist. Jaylin Stewart and Kennedy each recorded career-highs with three steals apiece, while Swiney had two swipes in the game and three other Cobras each recorded one. Three different Cobras posted blocks in the game.

The Cobras hit the hardwood again on Wednesday (Feb. 4) when they travel to Queens (N.C.) for a South Atlantic Conference tilt. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m., with video and live stats for the game will be available at www.cokercobras.com.