CCU

Men's Basketball Defeats UNC Greensboro, 77-72

           

Men's Basketball Defeats UNC Greensboro, 77-72

CONWAY, S.C. -- The Coastal Carolina men's basketball team made the most of its opportunities and came away with a 77-72 victory over UNC Greensboro in Kimbel Arena, Dec. 18. With the win, CCU moves to 3-4 on the year, while the Spartans fall to 4-4 on the season.

The game was off to a slow start, with CCU leading 7-5 just over five minutes into the game. Then the Chanticleers made a move, going on a 10-2 run and building a lead of 11 twice in the first half, the latter on a pair of Colin Stevens free throws to make it 24-13 with 7:35 to play in the opening half. However, UNCG chipped away, eventually tying the game at 33 with 1:56 left before Coastal went into the lockerroom with a 34-33 advantage.

The Spartans came out strong, taking the second half lead with an early 5-0 run to lead 38-34 less than two minutes into the second half. But after tying the game at 40, Coastal took the lead for good with an 18-6 run, sparked by guards E.J. Gallup and Brandon Newby, and the Chants were up 58-46 with 8:24 to go. CCU eventually built it as large as 15 and led by 12 at 71-59 with 2:34 to play, but the Spartans made a game of it late, closing it to five with 17 seconds to play before Antwan Green's two made free throws sealed the game away.

Turnovers and the charity stripe were the difference in the game for the Chanticleers. CCU converted 21 UNCG miscues into 27 points, while the Chanticleers were 29-for-35 from the free throw line, as compared to the Spartans' 8-for-16. Newby led four Chants in double figures with 16 points, while senior forward Clint Reed added 15. UNC Greensboro was paced by Jay Joseph with a game-high 22 points, while Ronnie Taylor scored 16.

Coastal is back in action in their second of three games in a five-game period, hosting Campbell, Sat., Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.