Reyne Smith Hits Record 10 3-Pointers, Leads Five Cougars in Double Figures, Win Streak at 8

Jeff Walker, Sports Writer

The College of Charleston men's basketball team proved several early pollsters correct, as they claimed the outright CAA season title by downing Campbell Thursday night 96-73 before a sellout crowd at TD Arena. With one game remaining on the schedule Charleston has secured the top spot in the upcoming CAA Tournament.

CofC could do no wrong against the Campbell, leading the contest from start to finish. 16 Cougars played in the contest with five finishing in double figures. Reyne Smith lead all scorers with 32 including 10 of 15 from beyond the arc. Smith broke the single game 3-point record for a game, that he himself set earlier this season.

Ante Brzovic went 6 of 8 from the floor for 14 points, grabbing six rebounds along the way. The double B's aka Ben Burnham and Bryce Butler chipped in 12 apiece with Benny hauling in a game best eight boards. Freshman James Scott went 4 of 5 to add 10 points to the Cougar total.

Charleston excelled in every stat category, outscoring their opponents 28-18 off the bench, 18-7 on fast break points, 9-0 in second chance points, and 44-24 in points in the paint. What really hurt Campbell was the margin in turnovers, with the Camels turning the ball over 19 times to just 10 for the Cougars.

When Frankie Policelli hit the first of CofC's 15 3-pointers just 12 seconds into the contest the Cougars were off and running. The Camels appeared to come alive late in the first period cutting a 12 point deficit to just three (34-31), before a 21-2 run by the home teams sent the Cougars into the locker room up 55-33 at the half.

The Cougars kept the offensive onslaught going after the break, maintaining a mostly 20 plus point lead throughout, pushing the lead to 29 after six minutes in the second period. The best the visitors could do was cut the margin to 19 (74-55) on a layup by Laurynas Vaistaras with 9:38 remaining to play.

Up by 30 points (90-60) on Smith's last triple under the four minute mark, CofC began to clear the bench, with Adam Comer adding two points for the Cougars in the final minute of play. With the victory Charleston improve to 23-7 overall and 14-3 in the CAA.

Campbell had three players finish in double figures with Anthony Dell'Orso leading the Camels with 21 points, adding 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. Gediminas Mokseckas and Vaistaras added 13 each for the Camels. Campbell fall to 7-10 in the CAA and 13-17 overall.

Charleston will finish the regular season against Hofstra on Saturday afternoon. Action is set for 2:00 p.m. in TD Arena. Bryce Butler and Frankie Policelli will be honored for Senior Day. The Cougars will then look to the CAA Championship as the No. 1 seed.