Thunder From Down Under Junior Guard Connects on CofC Career Best Nine 3-Pointers

Jeff Walker, Sports Writer

Just three days after barely sending Coastal Carolina home with an 84-81 loss, the College of Charleston welcome a strong St. Joseph's team to TD Arena Thursday night. Coming off an impressive 83-58 over Iona on Saturday the well rested Hawks brought a 9-2 record to Charleston, and were picked to be one of the better teams in the Atlantic 10 conference this season.

Entering the contest at 7-4 Charleston needed a career win to bolster their post season resume. Behind 31 points from Reyne Smith including a record nine 3-pointers, as well as some clutch late offensive maneuvers by Ante Brzovic the Cougars held off the high flying Hawks, downing St. Joseph's 89-82 in front of a near sellout crowd.

Smith was red hot Thursday night. He connected on 9 of 20 from beyond the arc, establishing a career high for a player in a Cougar uniform. He now ranks fourth on the all time list. A surprising turn around for a player who went 0-8 against Coastal Carolina. "I certainly did better than I did on Monday night. Normally I'm just trying to find my rhythm and when I do I let them fly."

The Hawks defense allowed Smith several open looks. However he gives praise where praise is due. "I credit my team mates for finding me and trusting me with the shots." Smith's 31 points is the most by a Cougar this season. Not bad for a player who began the season as a starter and is now coming in off the bench. "I don't think about, and I don't let my ego get in the way. I know I'll get in the game, and when I do I'll do whatever it takes to help the team out."

Regarding Smith's performance Cougar head coach Pat Kelsey said, "Reyne is amazing. He's one of the best players I've ever been around, let alone coached. The good thing about him is he never gets rattled."

Ben 'Benny Buckets' Burnham finished with 16 points making 6 of 9 from the floor while grabbing six rebounds. Brzovic who was quiet in the first half came alive to pump in 15 to go along with seven rebounds. Kobe Rodgers whose found his game of late chipped in 10 points in a winning effort, as Charleston improve to 8-4 overall heading into the holiday break.

A strong offensive unit, the Hawks suffered early on as CofC got behind a 17-2 run to take a 25-10 lead midway thru the opening period. A 7-0 run by St. Joe's put a small dent in the deficit, until Burnham hit from downtown, followed by two from Smith providing the home team with a 41-30 advantage at the break.

Smith picked up right where he left off, popping a triple to give CofC a 14 point lead inside one minute in the second half. The Hawks would slowly chip away, getting within two possessions (69-64) on a 3-pointer by Xzayvier Brown with 7:20 still to play.

Up by double digits late in the contest a 9-0 run by St. Joe's cut the lead to just one possession at the four minute mark. Cougar big man Brzovic drained a big three to put CofC up 82-77 with under three to go. He followed with a layup that made it a three possession contest as Cougar fans were on their feet with the game coming down to the wire. The Hawks would would answer back, down 84-82 with 37 seconds showing on the clock.

When Rodgers hit two from the line with eight seconds left Charleston held on to a five point lead. The ensuing inbounds pass was stolen leading to Smith adding another from the line with five ticks left, with the Hawks having no prayer with time expiring.

St. Joseph's had five players hit for double figures. Cameron Brown lead the Hawks with 21 including three triples. Erik Reynolds II and Rasheer Fleming each added 16 apiece with Fleming hauling in a game best nine rebounds. Lynn Greer III and Xzayvier Brown chipped in 14 and 11 respectively. The Hawks fall to 9-3 overall.

Coach Kelsey expected a tough contest, pitting two strong mid-majors together. "It felt like a big time college basketball game." Coach credited the '6th' aka the fans for helping secure the victory. "The energy in the crowd, they took the noise to the next level."

Aside from finishing with 13 of 36 from long range, CofC excelled in two stats, outrebounding St. Joe's 47 to 36, and outpacing the Hawks 43-15 off the bench, including seven points from freshman James Scott who has made 19 of his last 19 shots. The 6'11" big man is awesome under the basket.

According to Coach Kelsey, Brzovic and Scott bring varying approaches for College of Charleston offensively and defensively. "Both are very good players. We play different play packages according to who's on the court."

Brzovic who has been kind of up and down this season played a big factor in the win. making key shots when the Cougars needed them. Coach could sense it. "You could feel it. His chest pumped out. Confidence is a powerful thing. Ante played strong against a good team. It's great to have a game like that."

The Cougars push their win streak to four games while remaining undefeated (5-0) at home this season. After a holiday break Charleston, now 8-4, return to action on December 29 when they host NAIA Montreat at TD Arena. Action is set for 7:00 p.m.