DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21) – Facing a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time this season, the Trojans battled in a 118-106 loss against No. 16 Coker on Saturday afternoon while competing in a non-conference game at the Bahama House Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men's basketball team drops to 5-8 this season while holding a 1-2 mark in neutral site contests. Following a two-year gap between their last meeting, the Trojans continue to boast a 3-2 record in the series dating back to 2012. Meanwhile, Coker improved to 11-1 overall and picked up a pair of victories against Conference Carolinas opponents in Florida.
Redshirt sophomore
Lureon Walker matched his career-high with 31 points after converting 11-of-17 from the field and 7-of-12 from the free-throw line on Saturday. He also added six rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes. Walker ranks second on the team in scoring with 17.8 points per game and delivered a pair of 30-point performances for the Trojans this week.
Freshman
Chase Dawson finished with 18 points on 9-of-15 attempts in 29 minutes. Fellow freshman
Raul Perez posted his first collegiate double-double after totaling 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and four steals in 31 minutes. Junior
Shawn Wilson registered 11 points on five-of-nine shooting with four rebounds and two assists in 19 minutes off the bench. Sophomore
Kennard Davis contributed all over the court with seven points, six rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in 26 minutes.
In the opening three minutes, the Cobras built a 13-2 advantage on 5-of-10 shooting before UMO countered with a 10-3 run to close the gap to 16-12 with 12:56 to go. Coker extended the lead back to double-figures after scoring 12 of the next 16 points before the teams traded baskets for the next two minutes. Mount Olive cut the deficit to 43-38 with 5:24 remaining after going on an 11-4 rally with four different players scoring during that stretch. With the Cobras ahead 54-49 with 2:16 left, the Trojans scored six of the final 10 points to head into halftime trailing 58-55.
Mount Olive took the lead early in the second half by a 63-62 margin and remained ahead through the 13-minute mark as the offense made six-of-nine from the floor. Coker tied the contest at 81-81 with 11:45 left in regulation before going a 14-4 run to reclaim its double-digit advantage, 95-85. UMO remained within striking distance late in the half at 106-100 with 3:57 to go. The Cobras managed to hold off the Trojans in the final minutes to earn the win, 118-106.
Mount Olive finished the contest shooting 43-of-76 (56.6 percent) from the floor while converting 57.1 percent (16-of-28) from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Coker posted a .468 field goal percentage (44-of-94) and made 13-of-41 (31.7 percent) from beyond the arc. The Cobras finished with a 47-42 rebounding advantage while the Trojans scored 66 points in the paint.
Coker featured six players in the double-figures led by sophomore Landon Butler with 22 points on 8-of-11 shooting while adding seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 25 minutes.
The Trojans head into the holiday break before returning to the court on Tuesday, Dec. 31, for a non-conference game at Wingate with tip-off set for 2 p.m.
