Coker Falls Short Against No. 2 Lincoln Memorial

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Three Cobras scored in double figures in Coker's 62-58 loss to No. 2 Lincoln Memorial in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action on Saturday (Jan. 31).

Errick Bethel led all scorers with 22 points, while Donte Samuels netted 19 points and pulled down three rebounds. Trey Marshall added in 12 points and six assists, and Trey James led the Cobras on the glass with 10 rebounds.

It was a tightly contested game from the opening tip-off until the final buzzer. The game started with both teams exchanging baskets, until Lincoln Memorial's 12-3 run gave the Railsplitters a 21-12 lead with 7:43 left in the first half. The Cobras answered with an 11-0 run to take a 23-21 lead with just under three minutes left in the half. Both teams exchanged baskets once again and LMU took a one-point advantage into the locker room, 26-25.

The Railsplitters stormed out of the gate in the second half, taking a quick 37-28 lead with under 17 minutes left. The Cobras quickly answered with three straight Samuels baskets and a pair of free throws from Bethel to make it 37-36 in favor of LMU. Over the next seven minutes the Railsplitters built another nine-point advantage, 49-40, but the Coker continued to battle and trimmed the lead to just two, 49-47, with 6:23 remaining. Lincoln Memorial held the lead through the remainder of the game, but the Cobras stayed with in striking distance, cutting the lead to just two points, 60-58, with 15 seconds left. A pair of late free throws secured the four-point victory for LMU, 62-58.

The Cobras will return to the court on Wednesday (Feb. 4) for a SAC road game at Lenoir-Rhyne. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. following the women's game.

McDonald's Player of the Game – Donte Samuels