Late Comeback Falls Short Against Lincoln Memorial

HARTSVILLE, SC. - Coker fell to nationally ranked Lincoln Memorial Saturday evening. The Cobras erased a 15 point Railsplitter lead, but a veteran Lincoln Memorial squad closed the game out strong. 

BY THE NUMBERS:
Score: LMU 87, Coker 79
Records: Coker 18-8 (14-8) | Lincoln Memorial 21-4 (19-3)
Location: Hartsville, SC. | Deloach Center 

TOP PERFORMERS:
Ian Blue: 15pts
Logan Murray: 7pts, 7ast, 3reb
Jamie Muldowney: 12pts, 4reb

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Lincoln Memorial raced out to an early 8-2 lead Saturday afternoon before Coker settled in. Sebastian Cole and Ian Blue made back to back three pointers to tie the game just three minutes in. Glenn Bynum Jr. then cashed in on a jumper to give Coker its first lead just a possession later. The two went back and forth over the course of the next few minutes, and at the first media timeout, Coker led 19-18. 

The Railsplitters then went on a 23-3 run out of the media timeout, forcing the Cobras into multiple turnovers and tough shots to hold a commanding 37-22 lead. The Cobras didn't go away quietly over the course of the final six minutes. Sebastian Cole made a three pointer, followed by a pair of free throws, and the Cobras had cut the lead to single digits. Jamie Muldowney put a layup in as the first half buzzer sounded and Coker found itself trailing 49-38 at the break. 

At the half, Coker shot 46.7 percent from the field, and added six threes. The story of the first half was at the free throw line as Lincoln Memorial shot 12 of 14, while Coker only attempted 7. Coker forced the Railsplitters into eight first half turnovers, and added nine assists. Sebastian Coles 8 first half points led the Cobras, while Jamie Muldowney added 6 of his own. 

Out of the break, Lincoln Memorial quickly added four points, but Coker responded quickly with Blue and Coan baskets. At the 11 minute mark is when the tides turned. Logan Murray began to lead the Cobra comeback push. It started with a Murray steal that led to a Landon Butler layup. Another Murray steal then led to a Harris bucket, getting the crowd on their feat. One possession later, the senior buried a three to tie the game at 63 forcing the Railsplitters into a timeout, as the Coker faithful erupted. 

Following the media timeout with 7:33 left, Jamie Muldowney sank two free throws to tie the game once more at 67. Ian Blue and Jamie Muldowney followed the free throws up with back to back gritty baskets, followed by a Railsplitter turnover, and the Cobras once again had the momentum. Lincoln Memorial proved why they are nationally ranked though, the Railsplitters responded and held a 75-71 lead with a little over four remaining. Cole then drained a three pointer, cutting the lead to one. That score was then taken into the final media timeout with three and a half remaining.

Over the course of the final three minutes, Lincoln Memorial outscored the Cobras 12-5 to take down Coker 87-79. Ian Blue led Coker with 15 points on the night, while Sebastian Cole added 13. Logan Murray added a game high seven assists on the night, with Xavier Harris adding three. Coker shot 43.8 percent from the field, and 38.7 percent from behind the arc. 

UP NEXT:
Coker travels to Wingate Wednesday night with a tipoff scheduled for 7:30PM.