With a last-minute three-point play on Thursday night, the Cougars moved into a tie for first place in the Colonial Athletic Association just in time for homecoming.
The men’s basketball team (18-6, 9-2) upset first-place University of North Carolina-Wilmington (20-4, 9-2) 67-66 after first-year forward Jarrell Brantley was fouled on a finger-roll with 21 seconds left at Trask Coliseum. He hit the layup and an ensuing free throw, and the Cougars slipped away with the win — and a share of first place in the conference — after Seahawks guard Chris Flemming failed to hit one of two free throws in the final seconds.
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“It’s nothing that we didn’t expect,” Brantley said. “We were both fighting for the No. 1 position and it’s a big win for us.”
It was the first time the Cougars have beaten Wilmington on the road as members of the CAA; CofC’s last win at UNCW came in 2005 as members of the Southern Conference. UNCW got the best of the Cougars in their first matchup this season, winning 65-59 at TD Arena to take first place in the conference. But the Cougars took back a share at the top with Thursday’s win.
Head Coach Earl Grant said every game against UNCW is “a tough battle.”
“Our players stayed poised, played within themselves and we made enough plays to win the game,” Grant said.
CofC takes on third-place Elon (15-9, 7-2) Saturday at TD Arena in what could be a significant Homecoming matchup. UNCW likewise will take on a CAA foe Saturday, facing off against Delaware (9-15, 2-9).
