Kennedy's Career Day Powers Coker Past UVA-Wise

WISE, Va. - The Coker University men's basketball team powered past UVA-Wise with an 81-77 victory, with Malcolm Kennedy posting a career day for the Cobras. 

The Cobras jumped out to a 13-7 lead through the first four minutes, before UVA-Wise would come back to tie the game at 13 six minutes in. The teams would later battle to a 20-20 tie with less than 13 minutes to play, before the Cobras would go on an 8-0 run to take a 28-20 lead with nine and a half minutes to play. A pair of Dakota Jennings free throws with under seven minutes to play in the half would put the Cobras up by 10, before a three-pointer from Kennedy would extend the lead to 13 with five minutes remaining in the half. UVA-Wise would get back within five and then later two, before taking a 43-41 lead to the half. 

The teams battled to a 45-45 tie through the first three minutes, before the Cavaliers quickly gained a four-point lead. UVA-Wise would extend its lead to 58-52 with 11 minutes to play, before the Cobras cut the deficit to four. Two Briggs Parris free throws stretched the Cavalier lead to nine with nine minutes to play, before Coker would battle back and tie the game with a Chandler Lindsey three-pointer with seven minutes to play. Coker would grow its lead to six as the game headed to its final five minutes, before the Cobras would hold UVA-Wise to a two-possession distance into the final minute. UVA-Wise would get back within four, before the Cobras would earn the hard-fought road win. 

Coker knocked down a season-best 14 three-pointers, falling just two short of the single-game program record. Kennedy paced the Cobras with a career and game-high 30 points, including eight three-pointers. Lindsey added 19 points on the day, while Royce Hunter also chipped in 15 points. Five other Cobras contributed points in the game. Williams Onyeodi posted a game and career-high 11 boards to lead the Cobras, while eight other Cobras were active on the glass in the win. Lindsey dished out a team-high five assists in the game, while six other Cobras helped on buckets in the victory. Onyeodi and Kennedy each recorded two steals in the game, while Chris Swiney also had one. Jennings registered all three of Coker's blocks in the game. 

The Cobras return home next Wednesday (Jan. 22) to face Newberry in South Atlantic Conference action. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. from the DeLoach Center, with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com. A reminder to fans that the Coker University men's lacrosse team is sponsoring a shoe drive to benefit the InnerSole Foundation and the Hartsville Boys and Girls Club. Donation of a new or slightly worn pair of shoes gets free admission into the games.