CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - The (RV) Coe College men's basketball team extended its current winning streak to eight games on Saturday evening at Kohawk Arena, defeating North Central University 72-70. The Kohawks and Rams were neck-and-neck in the early going but a late rally in the first half gave Coe the first significant advantage in the contest. Coe extended its lead early in the second but the Rams quickly responded with a big run, flipping the score in the visitor's favor. The Kohawks fought back and regained control with a 14-7 stretch midway through the period to take a four-point lead. Coe and NCU then traded blows over the closing minutes but clutch free throw shooting from the Kohawks secured the win in the final minutes. Coe was led by a trio of double-digit scorers with
Bennett Sherry leading the team with 21 points and four boards.
Cael Schmitt finished with 17 points, five steals, two boards and two assists while
TJ Schnurr posted 15 points and five boards.
COE 72 - NCU 70
GAME FACTS
- It was back-and-forth in the early moments of the first half with each team trading buckets over the first seven minutes of action. The seesawing action continued for much of the remainder of the half but the Kohawks closed the period on a strong run to grab momentum. The hosts ripped off a 13-3 half-ending run, sparked by four North Central turnovers and four steals from the Kohawks. The run featured five different scorers for Coe which was 4-of-7 from the field over the closing minutes. The Kohawks quickly extended their advantage in the first few minutes of the second period, using a 6-2 run to grab a 45-34 advantage. NCU refused to go away despite its largest deficit of the game, answering with a 15-1 spurt in the next four minutes of action. The Rams hit all five of their field goals including a pair of 3s during the stretch while also holding Coe to 0-of-5. Coe responded in the next phase of the game, outscoring North Central 14-7 to regain a 60-56 lead with 5:40 to play. The teams then went toe-to-toe for the remainder of the contest, with the score separated by just a handful of possessions. The Kohawks closed the door in the final minutes of the game with clutch free throw shooting, holding on for the narrow win as the team converted five of its final six free throws.
Up next: Coe returns to the court following the Holiday, taking on Gustavus on December 30 in St. Peter, Minnesota at 3 PM.
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