GAFFNEY, S.C.  – The Limestone College men's basketball team defeated non-conference opponent Coker College, 81-72, Tuesday evening at the Timken Center.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Limestone 81, Coker 72     
Records: Limestone (5-4), Coker (4-5)  
Location: Timken Center
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 

• Junior guard Kenny Hairston (Charlotte, N.C.) tied his career-high with 26 points.
• Redshirt-junior guard T.J. Sheppard (North Augusta, S.C.) added 18 points.
• Senior guard Walter Cole (Atlanta, Ga.) and senior forward Macoumba Kane (Dakar, Senegal) recorded nine points each.
• Redshirt-senior forward Donovan Harris (Burlington, N.C.) tallied a game-high 12 rebounds.
• Limestone shot 44.1 percent from the field (26-of-59) and 69.2 percent from the free-throw line (18-of-26).

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Half
Coker put the first five points on the scoreboard before Harris started the scoring for the Saints to make the score, 5-2 just three minutes into the game. Limestone continued to chip away at the difference and used a 7-0 run to take a slim 11-9 lead. Out of the first media timeout, play went back and forth as the lead changed on three occasions before the Cobras scored six unanswered points to take a 22-17 lead at the 10:37 minute mark.
 
Limestone worked its way back out to slim 23-22 lead before the Cobras used a mini 4-0 run to go back out ahead, 26-23. In the final minutes, the lead changed on four occasions before the Saints recorded the final four points to take a 37-34 lead at the half.
 
Second Half
Out of the break, the Saints put the first three points on the board as Cole drilled a three-pointer to give the Saints a 40-34 lead. Limestone continued to add points and built the first double-digit lead of the game, 66-55, at the 9:37 minute mark.
 
Coker retaliated with five consecutive points to cut the difference to six points, 66-60 with 8:42 left in regulation. In the final minutes, the Cobras got to within four points on one occasion but that is as close as the Saints let them get as Limestone defeated Coker, 81-72.
 
NOTABLES
 

• Tonight's game is the first game this season the opponent has scored the first points and the Saints ended with the win.
• The Saints currently hold a 40-20 all-time advantage over the Cobras.

 
UP NEXT
The Saints will return to action on Saturday, Dec. 9 against Lees-McRae College. The Conference Carolinas matchup is set to begin at 4 p.m. at the Timken Center.