Ben 'Benny Buckets' Burnham Leads Balanced Cougar Attack, Five Finish in Double Figures

Jeff Walker, Sports Writer

Less than 48 hours after scoring an unprecedented 107 points resulting in a 21 point win over Hampton University, the College of Charleston men's basketball team continue their offensive attack, downing Campbell University 90-67 Saturday afternoon at Gilbert Craig Gore Arena in Buies Creek, NC. With the win CofC improve to 15-6 overall and 6-2 in the CAA.

The final stats favored the visiting team as the Cougars could do no wrong. Despite shooting better than 55% (25 of 45) from the floor Campbell turned the ball over 21 times which lead to 27 second chance points for Charleston. The Cougar bench outscored the Fighting Camels 40-26, which propelled five Charleston players into double figures.

Ben 'Benny Buckets' Burnham who had been quiet the past couple of outings, lead the Cougar attack going 6 of 10 including three from long range for 16 points. According to Burnham preparation is the key even with a quick turnaround. "I think we got really good looks tonight. We executed well. We forced a lot of turnovers." He added, "It's all about scouting. Before a game we ask a lot of questions to prepare."

The Cougars lead wire to wire, maintaining mostly a one and two possession margin for the first 14 minutes of play. When Kobe Rodgers hit a short jumper with 5:09 left in the first half Charleston went up 32-21. A 3-pointer by Frankie Policelli would push the lead to 16, before the Cougars settled on a 43-29 advantage at the break.

A long range missile by Reyne Smith sandwiched between layups by Burnham and Policelli gave Charleston a comfortable 50-29 lead after just two minutes had erased in the second half. The best the Fighting Camels could do during a ten minute stretch was cut it to 18. When Burnham nailed his final triple CofC were up by 29 (75-46) with 8:46 still left on the clock.

Three minutes later an old fashioned 3-point play by Jordan Crawford gave Charleston their biggest lead (83-53) of the afternoon, as the Cougars were cruising and CofC Head Coach Pat Kelsey began to clear the bench early.

Jordan would come in off the bench to chip in 13 points (5 of 10) for Charleston. Smith and Bryce Butler added 12 apiece, with Smith making three from long range. Policelli had a solid shooting outing connecting on 4 of 5 including two from beyond the arc for his 10 points. He hauled in a team high 6 defensive rebounds as well.

After the road trip started out with travel miscues, Coach Kelsey was happy his players stayed focused. "I'm proud of our guys. It was a long road trip with crazy travel the first day. But we watch a lot of tape. We do a lot of walk throughs, and we prepare the right way."

Coach added, "It was a great team effort. Five guys in double figures. We forced a lot of turnovers. Benny played great tonight. Kobe Rodgers was awesome, from the standpoint he brought so much energy into the game. It was infectious."

Campbell had three players finish in double figures with Jasin Sinani scoring a game best 21 points after going 7 of 9 from the field and 2 of 2 from downtown. Laurynas Vaistaras and Colby Duggan ended with 11 and 10 respectively for the Fighting Camels who fall to 10-11 on the season and 4-4 in conference play.

Charleston return home Thursday night to host UNC Wilmington, the last team to beat them. Coach Kelsey said he needed the 'Our City' and the six (crowd) to be rocking TD Arena. Burnham agreed, "It's a big game like PK said. We need it packed. Our City!"

Hopefully the Cougars can avenge the 78-69 loss to the Seahawks come Thursday. CofC sports radio announcer Everett German pegged it right, suggesting the DJ play 'Welcome to the Jungle' (Guns n' Roses) when the Seahawks enter TD Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7pm.