The College of Charleston men’s basketball team secured a 89-84 victory over Northeastern on Saturday in Boston, closing the game with a decisive 13-2 run. The win marks the Cougars’ fourth consecutive victory and brings their overall record to 15-8, with an 8-2 standing in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play.
During the first half, Charleston’s Jlynn Counter and Chris Davis Jr. provided early points before Northeastern responded with a 7-0 run to take a six-point lead. Northeastern later extended their advantage to eight points as Charleston went through a shooting slump. However, Martin Kalu, Connor Hickman, and Christian Reeves combined for four straight field goals to narrow the deficit to one point late in the half. The teams traded baskets before halftime, with Charleston trailing 40-38 at the break.
In the second half, Charleston regained the lead after a defensive block by Reeves led to a fast-break layup from Kalu. Both teams exchanged leads throughout much of the period without either side pulling ahead by more than three points.
Charleston took its largest lead at 82-78 with just over a minute remaining following a floater from Counter. The Cougars finished strong as Counter scored all of Charleston’s final 13 points while the team shot efficiently down the stretch.
Counter achieved his second consecutive double-double, finishing with 28 points and a career-high 11 assists. Reeves contributed 17 points and nine rebounds. Chol Machot was perfect from the field for 12 points, while Kalu added nine and Hickman scored eight.
Charleston shot 53 percent from the field compared to Northeastern’s 49 percent but was outrebounded by two boards. The Cougars committed only five turnovers—a season low—and made significantly more trips to the free throw line than their opponent (26 attempts versus five). This win is also notable as Charleston’s fifth this season when trailing at halftime; under head coach Chris Mack, they are now undefeated (7-0) in games decided by five or fewer points. The Cougar bench outscored Northeastern’s reserves by nineteen points.
Charleston will next host North Carolina A&T on Thursday, February 5 at TD Arena.
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