VERMILLION, S.D. – Redshirt junior
Essam Mostafa's two free throws with eight seconds left on the clock provided the final points for Coastal Carolina (6-4) in the Chanticleers' 87-86 road win over the University of South Dakota, Wednesday night at the Sanford Coyote Sports Center in Vermillion, S.D.
Mostafa finished the contest with a game-high 25 points, matching his career high, and recorded his seventh double-double of the season with a team-best 11 rebounds. It was his 29th career double-double.
Mostafa's final free throws completed a night when the Chanticleers hit 22 of their 24 free throw attempts.
The Coyotes (5-7) hit 16 three-point field goal attempts in the game with A.J. Plitzuweit's three with one minute left in the contest giving South Dakota an 86-85 lead. After an exchange of possessions, the Chants worked the ball for a shot that missed the mark. Mostafa grabbed his sixth offensive rebound of the game and was fouled on the put-back attempt.
After hitting the two free throws, USD had one final three-point attempt that missed its target as the final horn sounded.
Jomaru Brown scored 19 points and added four assists and three rebounds.
Linton Brown came off the bench and finished the game with 14 points, hitting four of his five three-point attempts. He hit three consecutive threes' in the opening half to help the Chants build up a lead.
Josh Uduje had another solid outing, finishing the game with 13 points, five rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot.
The game featured three ties and four lead changes, but the Chants led the game for a total 37:11. CCU finished with 32 rebounds and scored 24 points off of 16 USD turnovers.
All five of the USD starters scored double digits with Plitzuweit's 19 points leading the way. Kruz Perrott-Hunt scored 18 points and Tasos Kamateros added 17, all in the second half.
Mason Archambault scored 12 points, on four three-pointers, and Damani Hayes finished with a double-double for the Coyotes with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.
The Chants will not get a lot of time off as they will be back on the hardcourt, Monday, Dec. 19, for a 7:30 p.m. ET tip against another in-state rival in the College of Charleston.
For complete coverage of CCU men's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalMBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram), or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at www.GoCCUSports.com.
