Men's Basketball Wins at Coker

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Brandon McCarter came off the bench to score 23 points to lead the Lions to a 69-65 victory over Coker in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action at the DeLoach Center. Mars Hill improved to 6-8 overall and 2-6 in the SAC. The Cobras fell to 5-7 on the season, 1-7 in the league.

McCarter was 9-13 from the field, 3-3 from behind the arc and scored 14 of his game high 23 points in the second half of play. Jalen Witherspoon was the only other Lion in double-digits in scoring with 11 points. Tyree Griffin added eight points to go along with a team high 11 rebounds in the win. Mars Hill hit 46% (23-50) from the floor, 53.8% (7-13) from 3-point range but only 51.6% (16-31) from the foul line. The Lions' defense held Coker to convert on only 32.5% (26-80) from the field and 13.3% (4-30) from behind the 3-point line. Coker out rebounded the Lions, 49-42.

Aubrey Daniel led the Cobras with 21 points and 13 boards. Donte Samuels followed with 13 points and nine rebounds. Coker scored 42 points in the paint and 25 second chance markers.

Coker scored seven unanswered points to start the game before a pair of free throws by Vernon Jackson put the Lions on the board (7-2) with 16:22 left in the first half. The Cobras extended their advantage to 13 points (26-13) with 6:41 on the clock after Jalen Watson hit a shot in the lane. Mars Hill answered going on a 17-7 run to close out the first half. A 3-pointer by Justin Yeargin with four seconds left before the break sent the team into the locker rooms with the Cobras leading 33-30.

The Lions began the second half on a 16-10 run to take a three point lead (46-43) with 9:40 left in the contest after Valentine Bauer hit a 3-pointer. The Lions would not relinquish their lead for the remainder of the game. Over the next seven minutes, the Lions outscored the Cobras 14-6 to take their largest lead of the game, 11 points, after McCarter scored inside. The Cobras cut the deficit to five points after a Daniel layup with 20 seconds left but free throws by McCarter and Michael Carson sealed the win for the Lions.

Mars Hill will play at SAC rival Tusculum on Wednesday, January 13. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.