Men’s Basketball Returns Home to Face Tribe – College of Charleston Athletics
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men’s basketball team is gearing up to host William & Mary in a highly anticipated nationally televised contest on Monday, February 19 at TD Arena. Tip-off is set for 8:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
Storylines
Charleston currently sits atop the CAA standings with an impressive 10-3 league record. The team is on a roll, having secured four consecutive wins and is now aiming for the program’s 20th victory of the season against the Tribe. In the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season in Williamsburg, the Cougars narrowly edged out William & Mary with a final score of 84-83.
Key players such as Ben Burnham, Reyne Smith, Frankie Policelli, Ante Brzovic, Bryce Butler, and James Scott all made significant contributions in the previous matchup. Burnham particularly stood out with his third 20-plus point performance of the season coupled with seven rebounds. The game was tightly contested and featured thrilling half-court buzzer beaters from the Tribe to end both halves.
With the win, Charleston marked its second victory of all time in Kaplan Arena, with the first one coming under head coach Pat Kelsey’s leadership in February 2022. The Cougars hold the edge in the all-time series with an 11-9 record and an impressive 8-1 record at home.
Reyne Smith made a notable accomplishment in the Cougars’ recent 77-73 win at Northeastern by moving into the second spot in all-time career three-pointers made (259) at Charleston. His sharpshooting skills were on full display as he drained six three-pointers in the game, further solidifying his place in the program’s record books.
Charleston’s statistical prowess has also been noteworthy, with the team ranking seventh in the nation in bench points per game, 14th in rebounds per game, third in three-point attempts per game, and ninth in threes made per game. CJ Fulton, in particular, leads the country in assist/turnover ratio with an impressive 4.65 mark.
Last Time Out vs. William & Mary
In the previous matchup against William & Mary, Frankie Policelli and CJ Fulton got the Cougars off to a strong start with back-to-back three-pointers. However, the hot shooting from the Tribe forced Charleston to call a timeout as they found themselves trailing 21-12 early in the game.
Despite the initial deficit, Charleston mounted a comeback with a blistering 11-0 run, fueled by three consecutive triples from Smith, Burnham, and Khalil London, to take a 36-33 lead. The first half ended with a half-court shot from the Tribe, giving them a slight 44-41 advantage heading into halftime.
The second half saw both teams trading blows, with Charleston going on a decisive 12-0 run highlighted by Burnham’s scoring prowess. The Cougars managed to build a significant lead of 65-58 with 11 minutes remaining in the game. While William & Mary made a late surge to cut the deficit to one possession, clutch free throws from Smith, London, and Brzovic sealed the thrilling victory for Charleston.
Gameday Reminders
For fans attending the game at TD Arena, doors will open 1.5 hours prior to tip-off with concession stands and the Cougar Spirit Shop opening at the same time. To ensure a smooth entry experience, it is recommended to add tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay app before arriving at the arena.
Additionally, the College of Charleston has implemented a clear bag policy for athletics events, so be sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines before heading to the game. An ADA drop-off lane is also provided along Meeting Street for those requiring assistance.
How to Watch
John Fanta and Terrence Oglesby will provide the commentary for the game on CBS Sports Network. For those unable to watch, Cougar fans can tune in to the Varsity App to listen to Everett German and Danny Johnson’s live broadcast.
