The Belmont Abbey men's basketball team suffered an 81-62 defeat to the Coker Cobras this evening. The Crusaders kept it close in the early going, but were unable to find the touch from behind the arc as they shot only 20 percent (2-10) compared to 38 percent (9-24) by the Cobras. The loss drops the Abbey to 14-9 overall and 8-5 in Conference Carolinas. Coker improves to 11-12 overall and 5-8 in Conference Carolinas.

Andrew Morris gave Coker a 3-0 lead with his three-pointer at the 18:30 mark. A pair of free throws by Terrone Sheffey and a Jay Council jumper gave the Crusaders their first lead of the game at 4-3 with 15:53 left in the first half. The lead changed hands four times in the first eight minutes, with the last coming on Austin Harper's jumper that gave Coker an 11-10 advantage at the 12-minute mark. Harper's basket began an 18-5 surge for the Cobras to make the score 29-15, the largest lead of the first half. A pair of Tyshawn Good free throws with a minute to play cut the Abbey deficit to 31-19 at the half.

Sheffey began the second half with a jumper to cut the Abbey deficit to 31-21 with 19:39 to play. Coker responded with a 7-2 spurt to increase the advantage to 38-23 at the 17:52 mark. An 8-2 Abbey run made the score 40-31 with 15:40 to play and cut the deficit to single digits for the first time since the six minute mark of the first half. An 11-2 surge by the Cobras increased their lead to 51-33 at the 12:44 mark. The Crusaders answered with a 14-5 run to cut the deficit to 56-47 with 7:29 remaining. Coker outscored the Abbey 25-15 in the last seven minutes to close out the game and take the 81-62 victory.

Andrew Morris led all scorers with 24 points to go with seven rebounds for Coker. Julian Nelson chipped in 15 points and grabbed six boards for the Cobras.

Kyle Phillips recorded a double double for the Crusaders, tying for the team high in points with 14 and pulling down a game-high 13 rebounds. Good added 14 points. Sheffey finished with 11 points and Matthew Graves scored 10 points to go with seven boards. The Crusaders shot only 38 percent (27-72) from the field. Coker shot slightly better from the field at 41 percent (30-74).