Conway, S.C. – Henry Abraham scored just seven points, but it was his only made free throw that counted most as Coastal Carolina hung on for a 60-56 win over Western Michigan Monday night at the HTC Center in the season-opening game for each school.
 
Coastal never trailed but watched a 10-point lead evaporate in the final five minutes before Abraham bailed his team out with a made free throw that locked up the win, the first for new Coastal head coach Justin Gray, who took over after three seasons at Western Carolina. Coastal got five points from Andre Mulibea in a 9-point run to hold a 59-49 lead with 4:57 remaining but scored just three points down the stretch.
 
Western Michigan had several chances to take the lead in the final two minutes and a final chance to tie the game at 59-59, but Owen Lobsinger's 3-point attempt with five seconds remaining from the top of the key rolled around and out. Two seconds later, Abraham, one of only two returning players from last year's squad, made a free throw. Abraham, at just 5'10", led the team with six rebounds and two assists.
 
"He's tough as nails," said Gray. Henry is solid as a rock, and he makes winning plays. That's why he's the captain. I also liked that we won the boards and held Western Michigan to 35 percent shooting. If we do that, I like our chances."
 
Coastal was led by Rasheed Jones, a transfer from Northwest Florida State, who had 15 points, despite missing 10 minutes of the second half with leg cramps. Noah Amenhauser, a 7'2" sophomore transfer from Grand Canyon University, had 10 points, making all four of his field goal attempts from close range.
 
Western Michigan had three players in double figures, with Donovan Williams and Markhi Strickland each having 13, while JaVaughn Hannah added 10 points.
 
Coastal had four different players score in the opening four minutes, as the Chants took an 11-2 lead, hitting on 4-of-5 field goal attempts. The lead grew to 12, their biggest margin, at 33-21, when Abraham followed his 3-point make with a nice feed to reserve big man Colin Granger for an easy layup. Western Michigan closed the gap to 36-26 at the half with a late run.
 
Jones had nine points for Coastal at the break, while Williams had nine for the Broncos.
 
On the night, Coastal had nine players score points and played 10. Collectively, the Chants were 22-of-47 from the field (46 percent) and held a slim 35-34 edge in rebounding.
 
Coastal continues its early-season schedule with two games on the road at East Carolina (Nov. 9) and North Carolina State (Nov. 13), before returning home Nov. 17 (Sunday) to host Jacksonville State (Ala.) at 2 p.m. EST.
 
For complete coverage of CCU men's basketball, follow the Chants on social media @CoastalMBB (Twitter), facebook.com/CCUChanticleers (Facebook), CoastalMensBasketball (Facebook), @GoCCUSports (Instagram) or visit the official home of Coastal Carolina Athletics at goccusports.com.