Second Half Adjustments Rally Cougs Past Mountaineers

A motivated Anthony Thomas led the way against his old team

College of Charleston 72, App State 59

Top Performers:

Anthony Thomas 14 points, 7 rebounds

Anthony Stitt 10 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists

Tonights game started with the push-back from the recent road success the Cougars had against Wofford. While they seemingly couldn't miss up in Spartanburg, the Cougars couldn't get shots to fall inside TD Arena. Adding fuel to the fire was a sleepy, sparse home crowd and a clearly more motivated App State team. For the first few minutes of the game it seemed like the only CofC player who came ready to play was former-Mountaineer Anthony Thomas. "AT" quickly opened up the game with 7 points on his own and looked to have a chip on his shoulder (1 assist for the game-the man was out for blood). The Cougars were able to keep things close despite lethargic shooting because they were very smart with the ball.

Capel's game plan from the opening tip was to double-team Baru and Wiedeman whenever they so much as smelled the basketball. Luckily the other Cougars took advantage. Sundberg, for all his defensive flaws, was first off the bench in this one. As soon as Baru got double teamed Matt would get to the basket, ready for an easy offensive putback. Willis Hall also made moves to get himself wide open under the hoop and Baru was able to find him 2-3 times for easy baskets. Adjehi had 4 assists on the night. For the game the team had 16 assists compared to just 8 turnovers. 

With the lack of scoring production from behind the arc, the Cougars were able to generate points from the charity stripe. What was a huge liability earlier this season is slowly coming around for the Cougars. Outside of a rare off (and free chicken strip robbing) night at the line for Anthony Stitt (1-4), the rest of CofC shot 16-21 from the free throw line. 

In the second half both teams made adjustments defensively. Wojcik pressured the perimeter players and finally kept the ball from going inside off the bounce. Capel, with CofC making shots, threw some zone and some 3/4 court pressure at the Cougars. Again, unlike earlier in the year, the Cougars were unfazed by the switch and did not turn the ball over under pressure. 

Without the three-ball falling the Cougars turned to basketball IQ tonight to win this one. Not just defensively but the little things like finding Trent and Stitt behind the defense and in transition were essential in sustaining little runs throughout the game. Credit Wojcik for implementing such tendencies to the point of instinct and credit the players for executing and dominating every facet of the game.