Late Free Throws Lift Coker Over Lees-McRae

DAYTONA, FL. - Coker ammounted a last minute comeback yet again Friday night to pick up a win on the first night of the Embry-Riddle Holiday Tournament. The Cobras used a balanced attack, dishing out 18 assists to help return to the win column. 

TOP PERFORMERS:
Judson Coan - 16pts, 7reb, 2ast

Sebastian Cole - 16pts, 2stl

Max Hurray - 12pts, 3ast

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Coker found themselves in an early hole Friday evening, when Lees-Mcrae jumped out to an early 9-0 lead before the first media timeout. The Bobcats continued to grow that lead as they led by as many as 13 points within the first 11 minutes of gameplay. Over the course of the remaining 9 minutes in the first half, Coker began to cut into the lead, and eventually took the lead at the four minute mark, when Max Hurray made a jumper. The two teams continued to battle the remainder of the half, but it was Coker holding onto a 40-39 lead at the half. Coker received a balanced scoring attack in the first, as Judson Coan, Sebastian Cole, Max Hurray, Landon Butler, and Jamie Muldowney all added five points or more. The Cobras forced the Bobcats into 13 first half turnovers to help complete the first half comeback. 

In the second half it was the Cobras who jumped out to the hot start. Sebastian Cole made a three 30 seconds into the second frame, and the Cobras poured in nine early second half points. Lees-Mcrae continued to battle with the Cobras, taking the lead with 13 minutes remaining. The two teams traded baskets, and were knotted at 75 with five minutes remaining. Cole and Xavier Harris made back to back layups to give Coker a four point cushion with four minutes left. The Bobcats eventually took the lead with 48 seconds remaining, and Coker found themnselves in the same postion as they were Wednesday night at Lenoir-Rhyne. This time Coker came out on the winning side. Landon Butler drove to the basket, and drew a foul with 25 minutes remaining. The sophomore drained both free throws giving Coker the lead. Coker then dug their feet in, and got a gritty defensive stop that resulted in a steal by Jamie Muldowney, which eventually iced the game giving Coker a hard fought 89-85 win. 

The Cobras shot 53.4% from the field Friday, and drained 11 three pointers. While the Cobras struggled from behind the arc shooting just 32.4%, they forced 20 Bobcat turnovers. Coker assisted on 18 of their 31 baskets, and shot 80% from the free throw line. Judson Coan poured in 16 points, as did Sebastian Cole. Off the bench, Max Hurray added 12 points, with Muldowney adding 11. Xavier Harris led Coker with 4 assists, and Coan led the Cobras with 7 rebounds. 

UP NEXT:
Coker turns its attention to day two of the tournament, when they take on Mount Olive at 1PM.