HARTSVILLE, SC – Coker participated in another close game Saturday afternoon but came out on the losing end of an 82-76 men’s basketball contest.  CC drops to 6-18 overall and 4-13 in the conference, while the Saints improve to 13-12 and 9-9 in CVAC play.

Coker started quickly to take an early 8-4 advantage but an offensive dry spell saw Limestone race ahead for a 19-10 lead at the mid-way point of the half.  LC went on to a 30-15 lead but the Cobras found their stroke again and, by scoring the last four points of the half, decreased their deficit to 37-29 at the break.

Limestone maintained a working margin for throughout the second period with 57 percent shooting after halftime.  Coker did enough to stay within striking distance but couldn’t make a decisive run to pull back in front. 

A pair of Mark Duncan/Graham, TX free throws with 3:38 showing made it 71-67 but LC had an answer.  The Saints scored six straight, four inside the paint and two from the foul line to lead 77-67 and put the contest out of reach.

For the game, Limestone shot 54 percent with many of those buckets coming in the lane.  The Saints also connected on 26-30 attempts from the foul line to hold off the Cobras.

Senior Jay Farrow/Sanford, NC finished with 23 points and four rebounds for Coker and junior Jason Fulwood/Cumming, GA hit five three-pointers on the way to 17 points.  Senior Jamie Jenkins/Columbia, SC scored 11 points and had four assists.

Darrell Tate and Sumner Benton pounded the ball inside for Limestone and scored 17 and 13 points respectively.  Brandon Shipman added 16 points and Shawn Poppie totaled 11 points, six boards, two assists, two steals and a block.

Coker has a tough task ahead with a trip to Pfieffer University on Monday night, February 21.  The Falcons are ranked 17th nationally and are co-leaders of the CVAC.