Brzovic Scores Career Best 31 Pts. Outscore Pirates 40-6 Off the Bench

Jeff Walker, Sports Writer

After suffering back to back losses in the CAA including a loss to Towson that ended a nine game winning streak resulting in their first defeat at home, the College of Charleston men's basketball team continued their three game road trip facing off against Hampton University Thursday night. Coming into the contest at 4-15 overall and a 3-5 record at Convocation Center, Hampton appeared to be easy prey for the Cougars, especially since the Pirates entered 0-7 in league play.

Despite shooting less than 20 percent early on including 0 for 7 from beyond the arc, the Cougars soon found some consistent offense, throwing up 64 second half points en route to a 107-86 win over the Pirates. As CofC radio announcer Everett German said 'it was a battle of the bigs' with CofC's Ante Brzovic finishing with a team best 31 points, only to be outpaced by Hampton's Kyrese Mullen who ended the contest with a game high 32.

Both players shot lights out as Brzovic went 15 of 19 from the floor while hauling in a game best 12 rebounds. Mullen went 11 of 18 overall including 6 of 8 from long range in a losing effort. While CofC improve to 14-6 overall and 5-2 in the CAA, Hampton fall to 4-16 on the season and remain winless in league play (0-8).

Charleston had three other players finish in double figures with the 'thunder from down under' Reyne Smith going 5 of 10 from beyond the arc for 15 points. Bryce Butler and Khalil London came in off the bench to score 14 each with London going 4 of 7 from 3-point land. Ben 'Benny Buckets' Burnham finished with nine points while grabbing 10 rebounds including seven offensive boards for the Cougars.

CofC Head Coach Pat Kelsey was thrilled to pick up the win and praised his players after the team had a tough go of it getting to Hampton. "I wasn't going to mention it, but since we won I'm going too. We had a lot of travel adversity yesterday. It turned into a 17 hour day and we eventually had to take a bus, and we got into the hotel at 1:30."

He added, "But I never saw them waver. They had smiles on their faces. I'm proud of our guys."

Despite grabbing six offensive rebounds inside the first three minutes of play, the Cougars couldn't capitalize going 0-7 from beyond the arc during that same time period. When Smith drained his first from long range the Cougars tied the contest at 11 all with just over 15 minutes remaining in the half.

The Pirates would take their biggest lead of the night (19-14) before a triple by London and a layup by Burnham knotted it at 19. The contest would be tied two more times before the Cougars pushed to an eight point (41-33) margin on Smith's fourth 3-pointer. Charleston would take a narrow 43-39 lead into the locker room.

Frankie Policelli opened the second half with a missile as the Cougars found their offensive mark. Three minutes into the period Smith's final triple provided CofC a 10 point (55-45) advantage. Charleston could do no wrong, however the home team wouldn't relent, cutting it to a one possession (70-67) near the midway mark.

The Cougars would extend the lead to 11 before another Hampton rally made it 84-79 with 6:40 on the clock. But the Pirates fell flat after that, with CofC scoring their 100th point on an old fashioned 3-point play by Butler.

Charleston excelled in final stat categories, outscoring Hampton an impressive 40-6 off the bench, while outrebounding the Pirates 46-26 including a 17-7 margin on the offensive glass.

Coach Kelsey took note from every players efforts. "I give a lot of credit to our core leadership. Bryce Butler was awesome tonight. CJ (Fulton) was awesome. Frankie Policelli was awesome. Khalil London was terrific. I'm proud of him."

Aside from Mullen's game high 32 points, Hampton had two other players finish in double figures with Tedrick Wilcox Jr. and Jordan Nesbitt ending with 17 each.

It was a tale of two halves. After shooting 41% in the first 20 minutes the Cougars made 24 of 33 (73%) to rack up 64 points in the second half. Despite scoring a season high 107, the defense gave up 86 points. Coach Kelsey extended Hampton their due. "They have an attacking offensive team."

Hopefully Charleston can continue their winning ways and high scoring offense at the travel to Buies Creek, NC to do battle with Campbell on Saturday. At 10-10 overall and 4-3 in the CAA the Camels are coming off a 10 point (78-68) home win over Elon Thursday night. Tip off is set for 2pm Saturday.