Four Cougars In Double Figures, Freshman James Scott Continues Impressive Play

Jeff Walker, Sports Writer

One month after beating Coastal Carolina University 80-72 in the final game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational, the College of Charleston men's basketball team best CCU a second time, edging the Chanticleers 84-81 at TD Arena. Picking up their third win in a row the Cougars improve to 7-4 overall and remain unbeaten on their home court.

What appeared to be a run away victory for the Cougars turned into a nail-biter over the final six minutes of action. Up by 18 points with 5:41 remaining the Chanticleers outscored the Cougars 27-10 to pull within one (81-80) with seven seconds on the clock.

Thankfully CJ Fulton made a pair at the foul line to extend Charleston's lead to three. And with Coastal's Jacob Meyer making just one of two from the line CofC still held onto a two point margin, adding another when Reyne Smith made one of two for the Cougars with a second remaining. A failed half court shot at the buzzer by Coastal ricocheted off the glass allowing 4900 plus fans a sigh of relief that the home team emerged victorious.

Current CAA Rookie of the Week James Scott lead the Cougar attack with a team high and season best 16 points. The freshman went 8 of 8 from the line, relying on alley oops slams and rebounds for dunks, while hauling in five of Charleston's 45 rebounds. A solid performance in just 20 minutes of play off the bench.

In back to back games Scott has gone 14 of 14 from the field. However, at 6'11" most of those 14 have been stuffing well fed assists through the iron. CofC head coach Pat Kelsey continues to be impressed.

"He's a special kid. A special young man. He's talented and he's gifted. It's amazing he's just a freshman. James has so much basketball intellect. He's just fun to coach."

Three CofC starters finished in double figures with Ben 'Benny Buckets' Burnham going 4 of 6 from long range as part of his 15 points. Burnham grabbed seven boards as well. Kobe Rodgers turned in a stellar performance ending with his first ever double double in a Cougar uniform. His 5 of 7 from the field racked up 12 points to go along with 10 rebounds. Frankie Policelli who's found his mark of late had three triples to finish with 11 points.

Grabbing four offensive rebounds to go along with three assists Rodgers a junior guard from Coach Kelsey's hometown of Cincinnati Ohio believes he's beginning to make his mark with the team. "I'm mainly out there for defense. I don't shoot a lot. We have a lot of great shooters on the team, Reyne, Benny, and Frankie." He adds, "I just do what I do to help the team whenever and wherever needed."

CCU controlled the tip but CofC controlled the tempo. After a couple of lead changes Scott's first alley-oop put the home team up 9-6 inside five minutes of play. When Benny Buckets drained back to back threes Charleston enjoyed a 19-12 advantage. Five unanswered by Coastal cut the margin to one possession.

A short jumper by Meyer would tie the contest at 21 all before Policelli first missile of the evening. It would be tied again at 24 before the Cougars finished the half on a 13-4 run to take a 37-28 margin into the locker room.

Ante Brzovic began the second period connecting from beyond the arc as the Cougars took their first double digit (40-30) lead. Charleston would maintain a two and three possession advantage for most of the second half, building to an 18 point margin before the Chanticleers decided to make it interesting.

Oddly enough a few fans had left TD Arena thinking it was all but over, with several hundred watching from the concourse when they discovered CCU had made a run and were threatening to leave the Holy City with a victory.

As they say 'a W is a W', and with the win the Cougars improve to 7-4 on the season and keep a three game win streak alive as they prepare to host St. Joseph University on Thursday night.

Coastal Carolina had four players notch double figures with Jon Sanders ending with a game high 17 points for the Chanticleers before fouling out. Ian Granja came in off the bench for 13 points, making 3 of 4 from long range. Ginika Ojiako and Meyer chipped in 12 and 11 respectively. With the loss CCU fall to 3-7 overall.

Charleston return to action on Thursday to take on St. Joseph's. Action is set for 7:00 p.m. at TD Arena. Coach Kelsey expects a tough match against SJU. "Aside from Florida Atlantic, Saint Joseph is one of the best teams were going to play this year. Their analytics are amazing. They are very explosive, and like us they shoot a million threes."

After barely downing Coastal at home Coach Kelsey says there's still work to be done. "It's a quick turn around. We'll watch some tape and see where we have to clean up some of our mistakes we had tonight."