Big Dogs No Match For Big Cats, Win Streak at Four
By: Jeff Walker, Sports Writer
Riding a three game win streak the College of Charleston men’s basketball team welcomed Northeastern to the low country Monday night in a CAA matchup. Northeastern at 8-16 overall brought with them a six game losing streak that began back on January 21st when they fell 87-61 to the Cougars. At 4-9 in conference play would the Huskies have enough to take down the high flying Cougars with their 24-3 record, including an impressive 14-1 mark on their home court. Coming off an 83-70 win over Hampton this past Saturday, including a career best 30 points from Pat Robinson III, was Charleston up for the quick turn around. The Huskies kept it close for the first few minutes, but ultimately brought very little of a dog fight, as the big cats prevailed, downing their visitors 99-63 before a sellout crowd at TD Arena. It was a total team effort for Charleston with the CofC getting a remarkable 51 points off the bench. All but one of the ten man rotation scored, with Ante Brzovic leading four Cougars in double figures. Brzovic went 9 of 15 from the field adding one from long range for a game high 23 points. Ben Burnham shot lights out, making 6 of 7 from the floor, going 2 of 2 from long range for 16 points, with 12 of that in the second half. Dalton Bolon connected on three from beyond the arc, as he and PR III each finished with 14 points apiece. Reyne Smith added three triples for nine points. With the win CofC improve to 25-3 and 13-2 in conference play. CofC remains tied with Hofstra for first place in the league. A missile by Bolon got the Cougars on the board first. Six straight from Brzovic found Charleston up 14-8 after just over five minute of play. When Raekwon drained from long range Charleston doubled up their opponent, up 24-12 with 13 minutes remaining. Minutes later a hard earned layup by ‘Benny Buckets’ aka Burnham made it 32-16 for the home team. The Cougars continued to pour it on past the midway point before suffering a small drought. Down by 25 the Huskies mustered some offense, getting behind a 12-0 run to trail by 13 (43-30) under the four minute mark. Charleston would add six more to take a 49-32 advantage at the break, with Brzovic accounting for 17 first half points. Northeastern came after the break with a quick burst, scoring four unanswered before CofC settled in. Back to back threes by Smith and Burnham gave the home team a 57-37 advantage. Benny Buckets was in the house in period two. After rattling in his final three Charleston enjoyed a 66-39 margin with no signs of letting up. Burnham’s thunder was however upstaged by an on court marriage proposal. Good news Carissa said yes! Threes were flying, when Smith connected from deep in the corner the Cougars pushed their lead to 32 (78-46). Moments later Babacar Faye threw down an assisted dunk with 4:49 showing on the clock. As he’s done in several decisive wins Coach Kelsey cleared the bench allowing Frankie Idlett and Spencer Legg to add to the teams long distance total. The Cougars would finish the contest making 12 of 24 from beyond the arc. Jahmyl Telfort lead the Huskies with 11 points. Chris Doherty and Jared Turner combined for 7 of 12 from the floor to add nine points each for the visitors, with Doherty grabbing a game best eight rebounds. With the loss Northeastern fall to 8-17 overall and 4-10 in the CAA. While Charleston won easily the two stats they usually dominate in were by their own standards under par. They narrowly won the battle on the glass, outrebounding Northeastern 36-35 giving up 17 offensive boards that allowed the Huskies 18 second chance points. Nonetheless the Cougars came out victorious and improve to 25 victories against just three losses. Coach Kelsey says he allows for the team to savor the mark momentarily. “After every game I put the record up on the wall in the locker room. I tell my players it’s okay to celebrate the wins, too look out above the trees and see where we’ve come.” Coach adds however, “But when we leave the locker room it’s back to 0-0. It’s very hard to win in Division I college basketball. We’ll be back at and prepare for the next game.” Charleston heads to Elon Thursday for a matchup with the Phoenix. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Schar Center. The Cougars defeated the Phoenix 78-60 earlier this season in Charleston.