Coker Downs Carson-Newman, Earns Three Seed In Conference Tournament

JEFFERSON CITY, TN. - Coker jumped out to a hot start Saturday evening in route of taking down Carson-Newman on senior day. The Corbas have now earned the three seed ahead of the conferences tournamnet next week. This marks the highest seed Coker has earned since joining the SAC. 

BY THE NUMBERS: 
Score: Coker 108, Carson-Newman 92
Records: Coker 19-9 (15-9) | Carson-Newman 20-10 (15-9)
Location: Jefferson City, TN. | Butler-Blanc Gymnasium 

TOP PERFORMERS:
Jamie Muldowney: 24pts, 5reb, 3stl
Judson Coan: 16pts, 4 reb, 4stl
Max Hurray: 14pts, 4 three pointers

HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Cobras jumped out to an early 5-0 lead Saturday evening courtesy of Glenn Bynum Jr. and Xavier Harris. Coker continued this trend throughout the night, scoring and turning the Eagles over early and often. At the 12 minute mark, Coker led by just one at 18-17, but the Cobras started a run. Max Hurray, Ian Blue, Jamie Muldowney, and Judson Coan all drained three pointers, and by the time the Eagles were able to settle Coker down, the Cobas had went on a 17 to 1 run. 

During this stretch, Coker forced Carson-Newman into numerous turnovers with their stout full court pressure. They created havoc all night for the Eagles' guards forcing them into 18 turnovers. After the Eagles went on a minor run of their own, Coker halted it and cruised into the half after outscoring Carson-Newman 19-16 over the course of the final six minutes. Coker's lead grew to as many as 20 in the first half. 

At the break, Coker shot a sizzling 10-21 from behind the three point line to help take their 54-40 lead into the half. Max Hurray and Jamie Muldowney each poured in three of their own in the first frame. Logan Murray led the way for the Cobras with four assists, as Jonah Vaysbakh added three of his own. Coker took 10 more shots than Carson-Newman did in the first half as a result of the turnovers. 

Out of the break, Carson-Newman responded. The Eagles cut the lead to nine just four minutes into the half. Coker answered quickly going on yet another run. Xavier Harris and Jamie Muldowney made three consecutive layups, as Coker went on a 7-0 run in the span of a little over a minute to retake a demanding lead. The closest Carson-Newman was able to bring the game within was 10 down the stretch of the game, as it was Coker time and time again draining big shots to continue to extend the lead, fending off the Eagles in the regular season finale. 

In the latter half of the game, Coker began to run away with it, leading by as many as 20 or more at times. The Cobras were able to coast to the finish line, as they took down Carson-Newman for the first time in the Michael Lamberti era. Coker shot 50.0 percent from the floor on the night while adding 17 made three pointers. The Cobras were led by Muldowney and Hurray's 4 three pointers each. Coker forced Carson-Newman into nine turnovers in each half, as Judson Coan swiped a career high four steals. 

With its win Saturday night, Coker has now clinched the three seed in the SAC tournament next week and will play Catawba in the first round. This is the highest seeding Coker has accomplished since joining the SAC. 

UP NEXT:
Coker travels to Rock Hill for a quarterfinal matchup with Catawba. Tipoff is set for 2:30PM.