CofC Cruise By Stony Brook 74-52 In CAA Tournament

Eight days after finishing the regular CAA season with a 40 point (92-52) win over Stony Brook, the College of Charleston men’s basketball team faced the same team a second time in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament. Although it didn’t result in a similar rout, the Cougars were never challenged as they cruised to an easy 74-52 decision over the Seawolves. With the win CofC improve to 29-3 and advance to the semi-finals Monday night where they will face Towson.

Four Cougars finished in double figures with Ante Brzovic leading the way with 15 points including one from downtown, while grabbing seven rebounds. Dalton Bolon added two triples going 5 of 11 from the field for 12 points.

Ryan Larson and Reyne Smith chipped in 3 and 2 from beyond the arc for 11 and 10 points respectively. Not one of his best shooting nights Smith ended the contest 2 of 9 from the field netting 4 of 4 from the free throw line. But his two big treys did help spur the Cougars along early on. “I’m always just trying to find my rhythm. That’s my mindset.”

Charleston came out firing on all cylinders scoring 11 unanswered before the Seawolves lit up the scoreboard. When ‘the Mayor’ (Ryan Larson) drained his second triple the Cougars went up 28-11 with under eight minutes remaining in the first half. Stony Brook would keep within striking distance despite heading into the locker room down 42-26 at the break.

The Seawolves would continue to keep pace in the second period cutting the margin to 13 (55-42) before CofC got behind a 6-0 run to extend the lead to 20 points. While Stony Brook was a little more aggressive after the break they just didn’t have enough gas in the tank to mount a rally.

When Larson scored on a uncontested layup with 7:06 left to play Charleston enjoyed their first 22 point (67-45) margin. With victory in hand CofC Head Coach emptied the bench under the minute mark allowing Adam Comer and Spencer Legg to each add a bucket to the Cougar total.

Keenan Fitzmorris lead all scorers with a game best 18 points finishing 8 of 17 from the floor. Toby Onyekonwu chipped in 10 point in a losing effort. Onyekonwu alongside teammate Frankie Policelli, and CofC’s Dalton each hauled in eight rebounds. At 11-22 overall and 6-12 in the conference Stony Brook’s season has come to an end.

Whether the Seawolves stepped up their play slightly it wasn’t the same Charleston team that blew out Stony Brook a week ago Saturday, but the final stats did favor the 2nd seeded Cougars. CofC outrebounded Stony Brook 47-32, outpacing the Seawolves 15-3 on the offensive glass leading to a 19-4 margin for second chance points. The Cougars 24 points off the bench was nearly 10 below their average.