Cobras Rally to Knock Off Tusculum in Conference Victory on Saturday

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University men's basketball team rallied from a 14-point halftime deficit to knock off regionally-ranked Tusculum for a 67-58 South Atlantic Conference victory on Saturday (Jan. 11).

Tusculum jumped out to a 13-7 lead through the first few minutes, before extending its lead into double digits. The Cobras would get back within single digits with six minutes to play in the half, before the Pioneers would grow their lead back up to 14 at the half leading 44-30.

The Cobras would storm back for a furious rally in the second half, holding Tusculum to just 14 points in the final frame. The Cobras immediately cut the deficit to 10 in the first two minutes, before Tusculum would hold a steady 10-point lead for the next few minutes. Malcom Kennedy knocked down two free throws before Royce Hunter knocked down a three-pointer just past the 12-minute mark to the get the Cobras within 12. A thunderous dunk from Dakota Jennings got the Cobras back within three and sent the DeLoach Center into a frenzy, before buckets from Chandler Lindsey and Hunter put the Cobras ahead 51-50 with eight and a half minutes to play. The teams battled to a 56-56 tie with four minutes and change to play, before the Cobras would begin to pull away. A three-pointer and a layup from KJ Harris put the Cobras ahead 61-58 with two minutes to play, before the Cobras would ultimately ice the game at the charity stripe.

Hunter led the way for Coker with a game-high 24 points, while Jennings also added 13 points in the game. Five other Cobras contributed points in the game. Jennings led the effort on the glass with seven boards, while Williams Onyeodi pulled down six. Four other Cobras were active on the glass in the game. Lindsey dished out a team-high four assists, while five other Cobras helped on buckets in the win. Hunter and Kennedy each had one steal in the game, while AJ McQuaige (two) and Jennings posted blocks in the win.

The Cobras are back in on the floor on Wednesday (Jan. 15) at Anderson (S.C.) for a South Atlantic Conference contest. Tip-off for that game is set for 7:30 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Royce Hunter