CCU

Men's Hoops Downs St. Andrews, 74-54

       

Men's Hoops Downs St. Andrews, 74-54

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CONWAY, S.C. – Led by senior forward Moses Sonko (E. Greenwich, R.I./Classical) with his fourth double-double of the year with game-highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds, the Coastal Carolina men's basketball squad defeated visiting St. Andrews, 74-54, Dec. 29. With the win snapping a two-game losing skid, the Chanticleers moved to 5-6 on the season, while the Knights dropped to 3-6.

Coatal got going early in the game, going on a 12-2 run in the first 4:09 of the game, but the visiting Knights fought back. St. Andrews followed that opening run with a 17-4 run of its own in the next 5:13 to take a 19-16 lead with 10:38 remaining in the half. The two teams battled to be tied at 23 at the media timeout with 3:59 to play in the first period, but Coastal took the lead for good with a 10-1 surge to close the half for a 33-24 halftime advantage.

The Chants continued to build their lead at the start of the second half with a 13-4 push in the first six minutes for a 46-28 lead. CCU eventually built the lead to as many as 23 on two separate occasions midway through the second half and never led by less than 17 before finishing the game with a 20-point victory.

Coastal hit on 53.3 percent (32-for-60) of its shots from the floor, including 10 three-points, while outrebounding the visitors 37-27. The Chants also had 12 offensive rebounds converted into 16 points, while scoring 24 points off of 21 SAPC turnovers. The Kinghts, who were limited to just 36.2 percent (17-for-47) from the floor, kept it close in the first half by going to the line, finishing at 18-for-23 (78.3 percent).

Helping Sonko offensively for Coastal was junior guard Jack Leasure (Rochester, N.Y./McQuaid Jesuit) and freshman guard Joshua Mack (Hopkinsville, Ky./University Heights) with 13 and 12 points, respectively, with Leasure adding game-highs of eight assists and four steals. St. Andrews had three players with 11 points each, Taiwon Grooms, Richard Stone and Jusin Brauda.

Coastal will play its final non-conference game prior to Big South Conference play, Tue., Jan. 2, when the Chanticleers host McNeese State. Tipoff at Kimbel Arena is set for 7 p.m.