Lenoir-Rhyne Tops Coker 77-68

HICKORY, N.C. – The Coker men's basketball team dropped its South Atlantic Conference game, 77-68, to the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears on Wednesday (Feb. 26) night.

Julian Nelson powered the Cobra offense with a team leading 18 points and four rebounds, while Errick Bethel poured in 16 points, 12 of which came from beyond the arc. Trey Marshall added eight points with five rebounds and Donte Samuels chipped in seven points and pulled down four boards.

The Cobras held a four-point advantage, 38-34, as they headed to the locker room at halftime. The Bears came out the break ready to battle and quickly tied the game at 42 with 16 minutes remaining. After L-R took the lead, the Cobras managed to keep the game close, and even cut the Bear's advantage to just one thanks to a Bethel three-ball with 11 minutes left. Unfortunately for Coker, the Bears would hold off the Cobras for the remainder of the game taking home the 77-68 win.

Coker will return to action for its final regular season game of the season on Saturday (Mar. 1) at Tusculum. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Currently, the Cobras are seventh place in the SAC standings. The top eight teams advance to the 2014 Food Lion SAC Men's Basketball Tournament.