HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University men's basketball team's rally fell just short against Lander Wednesday night (Dec. 11) as the Bearcats defeated the Cobras 80-74.

Lander led 7-5 through one media timeout, before the Bearcats would later increase their lead to nine at 19-10 with 10:45 to play in the first half. Lander would extend their lead to double digits with under 10 minutes to play in the half, before Williams Onyeodi would get the game back to single digits with less than eight minutes remaining. After Lander re-gained its double-digit lead, Onyeodi got the Cobras back within seven with a three-pointer with 6:50 to play in the half. The Cobras would later trim the deficit to five and then three, before Lander would re-gain its 10-poiint lead in the final minute. Coker was able to cut the deficit back to eight at the half, as the Bearcats led 38-30 at the break.

The two teams battled back and forth for the first minute and a half of the second, before Lander would re-gain a double-digit lead. The Cobras got the deficit back to single digits with 15:45 to play, before Lander would get the lead back up to double digits. The Cobras would again trim the deficit to six with 13 minutes to play, before getting within one bucket with an Anthoney Ray layup with less than 11 minutes remaining. Lander boosted its lead back to nine with under nine minutes to play, before the Cobras would get back within six with under six minutes to play. Lander would see its lead fluctuate back up to double digits, before the Cobras would get again get within one possession with 1:15 to play. Lander would have to earn their victory in the final minute by icing the game at the free throw line.

Royce Hunter led the Cobras with 17 points, while Jaylin Stewart and Chandler Lindsey each had 12 and Onyeodi also poured in 11. Five other Cobras contributed points in the game. AJ McQuaige led the Cobras on the glass with eight rebounds, while Lindsey added four and Hunter and Dakota Jennings also chipped in three. Stewart dished out a team-high four assists in the game, while Lindsey added three and Hunter also posted two. Hunter posted a team-high five steals, while Lindsey had two and three other Cobras each had one. McQuaige posted a team-high six blocks in the game, while Noel Pinnock also had one rejection in the game 

The Cobras return to conference play on Saturday (Dec. 14) at Carson-Newman. Tip-off is slated for 4:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Royce Hunter