Derek Staton scored a game-high 23 points, including a pair of big three-pointers in the second half as Mount Olive won its sixth consecutive game, 70-64 over Coker in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action Wednesday night in Hartsville, S.C.

Mount Olive (14-6 overall, 7-3 Conference Carolinas) never trailed in the contest, but struggled to put the host Cobras away. Mount Olive took a double-figure lead late in the first half with a 9-2 run. Mahamed Ibrahim delivered a three-pointer and Craig Hayes and Staton followed with baskets for a 39-29 lead with 57 seconds left.

Coker (8-12, 2-8 Conference Carolinas) closed the gap to six by halftime, then pulled even on an Andrew Morris three-pointer with 16:34 left. Coker could not forge ahead, however. The Trojans answered with a 13-5 run.

Hayes' three-point play put Mount Olive ahead for good, then Staton hit three-pointers on consecutive possessions to stretch the lead back to eight. Staton then assisted on a three-pointer by Ewon Wright.

The Mount Olive defense held Coker to just 35 percent from the field. The Cobras stayed within reach by out-rebounding the Trojans 16-4 on the offensive boards. Coker also managed to keep Mount Olive's Kason Cheeks, Deshaune Green and Hayes on the bench for long stretches with foul trouble.

Coker closed within four points several times down the stretch. Austin Harper got the Cobras within 68-64 with 26 seconds remaining, but Staton and Dory Hines hit free throws to close out the contest.

Mount Olive built an early lead by making nine of its first 11 shots from the field, including the first four shots from long range. The Trojans shot 57 percent from the field before intermission. Coker stayed close by forcing eight Trojan turnovers.

Staton (12 points), Ibrahim (12) and Hayes (11) each reached double figures in the first half.

With the victory, Mount Olive matches Queens University in the Eastern Division with seven conference wins. Queens has two more games remaining than Mount Olive.

Ibrahim and Hayes each had 17 points. Julian Nelson paced Coker with 18 points, while Harper tallied 10 points and Sharod Williams, 10 rebounds.

The Trojans will look to extend their winning streak to seven Saturday night when Mount Olive travels to Belmont, N.C. to face Belmont Abbey. The women's contest will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. The men begin at 7:30 p.m.