CHARLESTON, S.C. - Five players scored in double figures including a game-high tying 16 points by preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year
Andrew Goudelock (Stone Mountain, Ga.) to lead the College of Charleston men's basketball team to an 11-point exhibition victory over NCAA Division II Francis Marion, 86-75, Friday night before a crowd of 2,025 fans at Carolina First Arena.
Goudelock was joined in the double-digit scoring column by freshman Trent Wiedeman (Suwanee, Ga.) who turned in a near double-double performance with 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds. Senior Donavan Monroe (Waxhaw, N.C.), sophomore Andrew Lawrence (London, England) and sophomore Willis Hall (Charlotte, N.C.) each had 11.
"Tonight, we took care of business," said CofC head coach Bobby Cremins. "Francis Marion played well and really challenged us. They were well coached and it was a good test and learning experience for some of our young players."
The Cougars, who finished third nationally in three-pointers made in 2009-10, knocked down a trio of three-pointers within the first five minutes of the game including one deep in the right corner by junior Antwaine Wiggins (Greeneville, Tenn.) which sparked a 10-2 opening run. It marked Wiggins' first outing after recovering from a season-ending ACL injury in September workouts last year.
Francis Marion couldn't keep up with the fast-paced and physical Cougar offense. CofC scored 36 of its points inside behind its big men in Wiedeman, Hall, senior Jeremy Simmons (Lithonia, Ga.) and freshman James Carlton (Winterville, N.C.), while scoring 12 on fast break opportunities.
The Cougars led by as many as 29 points with 8:02 remaining in regulation and went into the locker room with a 45-32 advantage at halftime. The Patriots were led in scoring by Evrik Gary who finished with 16.
"We had a good lead, but we couldn't maintain it (in the second half)," Cremins said. "But, I love our nucleus and thought Andrew Lawrence and Trent Wiedeman did extremely well for us tonight. Now, we are focused on playing Maryland. It's a great opportunity for us and I hope we can go up there and compete with them."
CofC will officially commence the 2010-11 season against the defending ACC regular-season champion Terrapins in the 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer on Wednesday, Nov. 10, at the Comcast Center in College Park, Md. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. (ET) on ESPNU.
POSTGAME NOTES
• The Cougars are now 3-1 all-time in exhibition games played during the Bobby Cremins Era (2007-present). All were previously decided in single digits prior to tonight's 11-point victory over the Patriots.
• CofC freshmen Trent Wiedeman, James Carlton, Jordan Scott and Nori Johnson made their unofficial collegiate debuts versus Francis Marion. They combined for 24 of the team's 86 points on the night. Wiedeman had a near double-double performance with 10 points and a game-high nine rebounds.
• Francis Marion head coach Gary Edwards returned to the city of Charleston, where he still ranks as the winningest head coach in Charleston Southern history. He coached the Buccaneers from 1987-96.
