HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Limestone College men's basketball team recorded its first loss of the season to non-conference opponent Coker College, 87-76, on Saturday afternoon at the DeLoach Center.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Limestone 76, Coker 87
Records: Limestone (3-1), Coker (2-2)
Location: DeLoach Center
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Redshirt-freshman guard Jaquan Simms (Covington, Ga.) led the Saints with 18 points.
- Freshman forward Nehemiah McGriff (Lancaster, S.C.) tallied 11 points.
- Senior forward Macoumba Kane (Dakar, Senegal) rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points.
- Redshirt-senior forward Donovan Harris (Burlington, N.C.) added 10 rebounds and four points.
- Limestone shot 41.8 percent from the field (28-of-67) and 66.7 percent from the free-throw line (16-of-24).
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
Coker jumped out ahead of the Saints early, 7-0, before the Saints scored four unanswered points to cut the difference to three points, 7-4, with 17:24 on the clock. Limestone continued to work out of the deficit and got to within one point, 11-10, but the Cobras retaliated with an 8-0 run to extend their lead, 19-10.
The Saints broke the three minute scoring stalemate with a free throw to bring the score to 19-11 at the 11:28 minute mark. The Cobras took advantage of the Limestone offensive struggles and built a double-digit lead, 32-11, with less than eight minutes left in the period. In the final minutes, both teams traded possessions as both teams added 15 points each as the Cobras took a 47-26 advantage into the locker room.
Second Half
Out of the break, play went back and forth before Coker extended its lead to 31 points, 67-36 with 14:04 left in regulation. Limestone continued to look for a rally and used a 13-point run to close the gap, 74-59 at the 6:57 minute mark. The Blue and Gold cut the advantage to seven points on two different occasions but couldn't overcome the difference as the Cobras defeated the Saints, 87-76.
NOTABLES
- Limestone holds a 39-20 all-time advantage over the Cobras.
- McGriff recorded his first points as a Saint.
UP NEXT
The Saints will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 21 against the University of North Georgia. The non-conference game is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in Dahlonega, Ga.