Final Score: College of Charleston 60, Coastal Carolina 51
Top Performers:
Anthony Stitt: 22 points, 7 assists
The Cougar defense: CCU shot 18-47 for the game (2-10 3PT) with a lot of makes during garbage time
Maybe it was the approaching holiday break or the noon time start, but this game lacked the punch we might have expected based on the rivalry between these two teams over the past few years. That's not to say the Cougars looked bad - they dominated this game from the early goings and led by as many as 22 points before putting things into Bart Benton-led cruise control. In a game that featured one of college basketball's best scorers and a 600-win coach, Coastal Carolina stumbled bad against the Cougar defense and was lucky to crack 50 points.
In previewing this game the theme was Coastal's productive backcourt versus the Cougars intimidating front court. What ended up happening was a complete switch of expectations. The Cougar backcourt was the aggressor. Andrew Lawrence was his usual even-keeled self and for the second straight game we had another player epiphany. Anthony Stitt finally became the number two option people like me thought he would become this season and posted career-high tying 22 points and 7 assists. Thomas and Stitt's big games this week have given each Cougar starter a signature performance on the season. That's a luxury few teams are capable of having.
-Andrew Lawrence: 22 points against Boston College
-Anthony Stitt: 22 points, 7 assists against Coastal Carolina
-Anthony Thomas: 13 points, 3 blocks, 4 assists against Old Dominion
-Willis Hall: 19 points, 12 rebounds against Elon
-Adjehi baru: 16 points, 14 rebounds against Louisville
Playing excellent defense against Anthony Raffa, who came in averaging 21 points a game, Wojcik's defense really caused the Coastal Carolina offense to sputter. The only thing the Cougars really gave up was an open jumper to forward El Hadji Ndieguene. He was hitting that shot when it became available but that's about all that was working for the Chanticleers. The Chants other big strengths are their ability to rebound and force steals against opponents. The Cougars ended Coastal's season long streak of out-rebounding opponents by collecting 10 more than the Chants. Only one player, reserve forward Michel Enanga, had more than 4 rebounds. On defense the Cougars forced eight steals out of Coastal's hands and on offense the CofC starters only had about 11 turnovers. Hooray progress!
Even though the mood was subdued for the second half at TD Arena this was still a really good win to pick up for Charleston. This is the second straight game where Wojcik has been able to clear the entire bench with the game firmly in hand in the closing minutes. The defense is looking more stable from game to game and the offense with Andrew Lawrence on the floor remains sharp. Once again it's good to see that even when Baru or Lawrence is having a pedestrian game there are other guys who can contribute.
The next step for the Cougars is a week long Christmas break. No basketball until a New England road trip to Vermont and Marist on the 29th and 31st.
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