Men's Basketball Rallies to Force Overtime, but Falls Short to Mars Hill in Conference Action

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University men's basketball team posted a tremendous rally to force overtime against Mars Hill, before falling in the extra session by a score of 84-76 on Saturday (Dec. 7). 

 Mars Hill jumped out to a 9-4 lead through the first eight minutes, before increasing the lead to 11 with just over 11 minutes to play in the half. Mars Hill would maintain a double-digit lead into the final minute of the first half, before the Cobras would halt the momentum with consecutive buckets to send the teams to the locker room with Mars Hill leading 36-30. 

Coker would get within three points thanks to two Chris Swiney free throws two minutes in, before the Lions took a six-point lead to the first media break. The Lions would increase their lead to double-digits again with 13 minutes to play, and to as many as 15 with 11 minutes to play. The Cobras would battle back to trim the lead to nine with seven minutes to play, before the Cobras got within four with just over four minutes to play. The Cobras would continue to battle, making it a two-point game with just over two minutes to play. Mars Hill led by four headed to the final minute, before Royce Hunter knocked down a three-pointer with 1:06 to play that got the Cobras within one. Mars Hill would re-gain its four-point lead on a Javonte Cooke triple with 25 seconds to play, before a Chandler Lindsey layup got the Cobras back within one possession with 16 seconds to play. The Cobras played for the tying shot as the clock wound down into its final seconds. Dakota Jennings was able to put back a miss with 3.5 seconds to send the game to overtime tied at 69. 

The Cobras would jump out to a 72-69 lead in overtime, before the Lions would come back to take a 75-72 lead in the extra frame. The Lions were able to hold Coker to just seven points in the overtime period on their way to the road victory. 

 Roy Ellis paced the Cobras with 13 points off the bench, while Hunter, Swiney and Jennings each scored 10 points in the contest. Eight other Cobras contributed points in the game. Jennings led the Cobras on the glass while completing the double-double with 10 rebounds, while Swiney also pulled down nine rebounds in the game. Nine other Cobras were active on the glass in the contest. Hunter and Lindsey each dished out three assists in the contest, while Swiney and KJ Harris each had two and Jaylin Stewart also had one. Six different Cobras recorded steals in the game. Jennings led the Cobras with six blocks in the game, while Williams Onyeodi and AJ McQuaige also posted rejections in the game. 

 The Cobras are back in action tomorrow (Sunday, Dec. 8) for a Division I exhibition at College of Charleston. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

 McDonald's Player of the Game - Roy Ellis