4-4 Cougars Returning Home After More Than a Month on the Road

Jeff Walker, Sports

Less than 24 hours after downing Liberty 76-67 in the Field of 68 Media Network Tip-Off Event in Boca Raton the College of Charleston Men's Basketball team had the daunting task of taking home town favorite Florida Atlantic University. Despite being up at the half and holding their own for 28 minutes against 13th ranked FAU, the Cougars fell flat in the final 12 minutes of play falling to the Owls 90-74.

It was a tale of two halves for CofC. The Cougars enjoyed a 46-40 lead at the break after shooting lights in the first 20 minutes of play. Charleston made 16 of 20 including 8 of 16 from long range in the opening period. Whether they were just outplayed or shots weren't falling, CofC managed to shoot just 21 percent combined from the floor and long range in the second half. Charleston fall to 4-4 on the season.

Charleston was lead in scoring by Reyne Smith who made 4 of 6 from beyond the arc for 14 points. He was the lone starter in double figures. Jordan Crawford who has stepped up over the past several games came in off the bench going 3 of 6 from long range for 13 points. Ante Brzovic and Bryce Butler added 12 and 10 points respectively.

FAU would control the early game, enjoying a seven point (19-12) lead after a 3-pointer by Brenen Lorient with 12:25 remaining. CofC would chip away tying the contest at 22 all when Smith drained a triple. When Butler made two from the foul line the Cougars went up by eight before taking a decent six point advantage into the locker room.

The Cougars held the Owls off for six minutes before a layup by Johnell Davis gave FAU the lead (56-55). Charleston managed to keep it within one and two possessions over the next nine minutes before the Owls took their first double digit lead (76-65). Charleston would close out the contest going 0-6 from long range as FAU kept padding their lead en route to victory.

Adding 50 second half points FAU shot 63 percent in the final 20 minutes of play. Davis lead the Owls with a game high 24 points, finishing the game with a double double after hauling in 10 rebounds. Vladislav Goldin went 7 of 8 from the floor for 17 points while grabbing a game best 12 boards. Alijah Martin and Giancarlo Rosado chipped in 13 and 15 points respectively. FAU improve to 7-1 overall.

Two stats that have proved favorable for Charleston this season did not surface against FAU. The Cougars were outscored in the paint 52 to 24, and outrebounded 45 to 34.

The Cougars will return home after 34 days on the road when they welcome Rhode Island to TD Arena on December 10. Action is set for 2:00 p.m.