Cobras Just Short In Upset Bid

Hartsville, SC – Coker College couldn’t quite get over the hump in a heart breaking 91-86 overtime defeat to Mt. Olive Thursday evening in men’s collegiate basketball.  The two teams put on quite a show for the Hartsville fans, racing back and forth all night long.  Coker slides to 3-7 overall and 1-4 in the CVAC, while the Trojans improve to 9-3, and 4-1 in the conference.

Coker scored the most points it’s scored all season in the first half but still trailed MOC 46-44 at the break. Mt. Olive shot 54 percent from the floor in the period, and was nearly matched by the Cobras, who connected on 48 percent of their shots.

The pace remained fast and furious after the break but the play turned a little more sloppy, leading to fewer points scored. Coker actually bettered its shooting percentage in the second half, but 13 turnovers, compared to only seven in the first half, was enough to keep the Cobras from pulling away.

Missed opportunities at the foul line in the final minutes of regulation were devastating, and MOC knocked down 1-2 free throws with five seconds remaining to tie the score up 78-78.

Mt. Olive got on the board first in the extra frame but held the lead for only a short time, as senior Derrick Hilton drilled a difficult three-pointer to give Coker the lead back at 81-80. The sequence set the tone for the next four minutes as the lead changed hands seven times in the extra session.

Eventually the well ran dry for CC, and, after taking a one point lead with 1:48 to play, the Cobras failed to score a bucket over the final 1:48 of the game.  Two layups and a pair of free throws pulled MOC even and then past the home team for the five point victory.

Senior Derrall Beason continued to carry the offensive load for Coker, as passed the 20 point barrier for the third consecutive game. Beason hit for 25 points, four rebounds, and three assists, and was a factor for CC after he settled into the game.

Beason was not alone, however, as three of his teammates joined him in double digits.  Hilton had his best performance of the season with 13 points, six rebounds, and two assists. Hilton was 3-4 from behind the arc and 4-6 shooting overall.  Senior Dominic Serafini contributed 11 points before fouling out and junior Andre Blackwell finished with 10 points and seven rebounds before fouling out in overtime.

The star of the game was Mt. Olive’s Marcus West, who notched an exceptional 35 points and 13 rebounds in 38 minutes of action.  Running mate Dameion Baker tallied 20 points and nine rebounds and Johnny Galarza finished with 11 points and six boards.

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