Cobras Sweep UVA Wise with 95-91 Overtime Win, Extend Winning Streak to Three

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University men's basketball team swept UVA Wise for the season and extended its winning streak to three with a 95-91 overtime victory on Saturday (Jan. 9). The Cobras have now won three in a row for the first time since the 2017-18 season when the Cobras rattled off victories against Mars Hill (Feb. 3, 92-84), Newberry (Feb. 7, 86-80) and Tusculum (Feb. 10, 104-93). 

The Cobras built an 11-point lead through the first seven and a half minutes, keeping the Cavaliers at a few possessions' distance for the majority of the first half. The Cavaliers would charge back to tie the game at 33 with six minutes to play in the half, before the teams would play to a 36-36 tie with four minutes to play. The Cobras would rebuild their lead in the final few minutes, taking a 50-43 lead to the break.

The Cobras extended their lead back into double-digits less than three minutes into the second half, before the Cavaliers would get back within four seven minutes in. The Cavaliers would get back within one two minutes later, before the teams would trade buckets into the final few minutes. The teams would battle to an 83-83 tie with just 35 seconds left on the clock, before the Cobras would enter their first overtime contest of the season.

The Cobras struck first in overtime off a Malcolm Kennedy three-pointer, before the teams would go bucket-for-bucket over the next few minutes, before UVA Wise would take a 91-90 lead with a minute left. Coker would score five consecutive points over the next minute and change to capture its third consecutive victory.

The Cobras shot 51.5 percent (35-68) from the floor, aided by 12 three-pointers. Chandler Lindsey and Kennedy each poured in a team-high 19 points in the win, while Anthony Thomas added 14, Jahnarious Snell chipped in 11 and Ryan Carfley scored 10. Four other Cobras contributed points in the victory. Lindsey led the Cobras on the glass finishing one rebound shy of a double-double with nine, while eight others were active on the glass in the game. Christopher Fordham dished out a career-high seven assists in the game, while Lindsey also helped on six Cobra buckets in the contest. Six other Cobras contributed assists in the game. Fordham, Thomas and Jordan Jones each recorded two steals in the game, while Lindsey and Snell each had one. Seth Bennett posted both of Coker's rejections in the win.

The Cobras (4-2, 4-2 SAC) return to action on Wednesday (Jan. 13) when they travel to Wingate for an evening SAC tilt. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

Coker University will continue to assess the NCAA, federal, state and local developments and provide updated revisions as additional information is available.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Malcolm Kennedy