2/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C. -- In the first-ever ESPN2 National broadcast of a Big South Conference regular-season game, Coastal Carolina made the plays down the stretch in getting a 72-66 win over four-time defending champ Winthrop, Feb. 8. With the win, the Chanticleers move to 11-10 on the season and 3-5 in Big South play, while the Eagles drop to 14-8 and 7-3 in the conference.
The first half was a battle, with seven ties and four lead changes, as each team fought through the early nerves. Each team committed 11 first half turnovers, but Coastal took the first half lead for good with just under four minutes to go and outshot the Eagles, 44.4 percent to 35.7, earning a 32-28 halftime margin.
The Chants came out on fire in the second half, opening on a 10-2 run to build a 12 point margin at 42-30. Winthrop came back like champions, cutting into the lead until they finally had their first lead of the second half, 60-59, with 4:45 left to play. But CCU, in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Kimbel Arena, put on the late surge, outscoring the Eagles, 13-6, in the closing minutes, including going eight-for-eight from the free throw line.
The free throw line ended up being one key, as Coastal did a better job at the free throw line, hitting 23 of 29 from the line (79.3 percent), while Winthrop was just 17 of 27 (63.0 percent). The Chants also outshot the Eagles from the three-point arc, hitting on nine of 22 (40.9 percent) compared to five of 23 (21.7 percent).
Coastal Carolina was led by junior E.J. Gallup, who led all scorers with 18 points, including four three-pointers, in his first full game back from an ankle injury. Senior Torrey Butler added 15, sophomore Kelvin Coggins came off the bench and chipped in 10, all in the second half, while senior Tony Darden had a game-high 12 rebounds. Winthrop was paced by Pierre Wooten with 17, while Tyrone Walker had 14.
Coastal is back on the floor quickly, hosting High Point, Mon., Feb. 10 at 7 p.m., while the Eagles host Birmingham-Southern, also Mon., Feb. 10 at 7 p.m.
