Men's Basketball Defeats St. Andrews, 91-83

CONWAY, S.C. -- The Coastal Carolina men's basketball team ran out to an early lead but had to fight back a pesky St. Andrews' squad, 91-83, Dec. 14. With the win, Coastal moves to 2-4 on the year, while the Knights fall to 2-4.

Coastal jumped out on top early, building a 24-7 lead less than eight minutes into the first half, but St. Andrews came back, cutting the lead to one with a 15-2 run late in the half, before the Chants could go into the halftime lockerroom with a 46-43 lead.

St. Andrews kept the pressure on early in the second half, as they tied it at 50 with just over 17 minutes to play. Coastal took back the lead, building it to eight at 69-61 on senior forward Clint Reed's layup with 8:13 to play. However, another Knights' run, this time a 14-3 run over 2:20, capped by David Truesdale's three-pointer, gave St. Andrews a 75-72 lead with 5:53 to play. Coastal came back though, as freshman forward Moses Sonko scored the next four points in the next 1:07 to put the Chanticleers up for good with a 76-75 lead. Coastal converted from the line down the stretch, hitting on six of eight free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Senior guard Brandon Newby led Coastal with his first career double-double with career highs of 29 points and 11 rebounds. Senior guard E.J. Gallup chipped in 15, while Sonko and Reed each had 11. St. Andrews was led by Justice Graham, who tallied 29 points, including five three-pointers, off the bench. Three other Knights were in double figures, led by Clarence Ferguson with 16.

Coastal will next be in action Thu., Dec. 18, as the Chants host UNC Greensboro at Kimbel Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.