Charleston Host Liberty on Sunday to conclude the Field of 68 Tip-Off, Action is set for 4:00 p.m. from TD Arena

CofC Sports Media

Ante Brzovic drained a three pointer as time expired in double overtime to lead the Cougars to a 119-116 victory over Florida Atlantic to open the Field of 68 Tip-Off on Friday night in TD Arena.

The Owls started the contest by going 7-8 from the field to take a 17-9 advantage. A 7-2 Charleston run featuring buckets from Jaxon Prunty and Brzovic forced an Owls timeout with thirteen minutes to play before Derrin Boyd drained a triple to make it a three-point game at 23-20.

A 7-0 Charleston run tied the contest with nine minutes to play in the half, igniting TD Arena. The Cougars flipped the script, causing five Florida Atlantic turnovers in two minutes while going on a 14-0 run to take a ten-point edge with two minutes to play. The Owls finished the half on a 10-2 run to cut the Charleston lead to 49-47 entering the locker room. Brzovic led the Cougars in the frame with 17 points.

The teams traded points to start the second half before a CJ Fulton three with 11 minutes to play gave Cougars 70-63 lead, with Charleston going 5-7 from the field during the stretch.

Charleston took a thirteen-point lead with seven minutes to play before the Owls heated up from the field and went on a 6-0 run to end regulation, tying the game with 28 seconds to play and send the game to overtime.

With nothing decided in the first overtime frame, the teams went to double overtime tied at 105-105.

Now in double overtime, FAU took a four-point lead with two minutes to play, the largest lead for either team in overtime. From there, Brzovic took over with a made three, jumper, free throw and ultimately the game winning shot as time expired to complete the instant classic at TD Arena.  

Charleston will have a quick turnaround as they face Liberty on Sunday to conclude the Field of 68 Tip-Off. Action is set for 4:00 p.m. from TD Arena.