CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Three players scored in double figures including a game-high 25 points from senior All-America candidate Andrew Goudelock (Stone Mountain, Ga.) and a career-high 20 points from freshman Trent Wiedeman (Suwanee, Ga.) to lead top-seeded College of Charleston to its fifth-straight semifinal appearance with a 78-60 rout of Elon in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Southern Conference Tournament held Saturday night at McKenzie Arena.

The Cougars (23-9), who tied Wofford for the South Division regular-season title, are the only league team to reach five consecutive semifinals, but have not won the tournament since their inaugural SoCon season in 1998-99 - the last time in program history to reach the Big Dance.

CofC sprinted out to a 7-0 run sparked by a reverse layup by Wiedeman, who registered his third career double-double with a game-high 12 rebounds. The Cougars would go on to make 17-of-29 of their first-half shots (58.6 percent) including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. Goudelock scored 10 of the team's first 14 points of the ballgame as the Cougars took a 43-22 lead into halftime.

Drew Spradlin scored 13 to lead the Phoenix (14-17), who pulled within 12 midway through the second half on his three-pointer, 54-42, before the Cougars countered with seven-straight points. CofC led by as many as 22 points and were also paced by a 14-point performance from senior Donavan Monroe (Waxhaw, N.C.).

The Cougars will face Furman (22-9) for the third time this season in the semifinals tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. (ET) and the game will be televised live regionally on SportSouth which can be viewed locally in the Charleston area on Comcast Cable Channel 28 or to satellite subscribers on DirecTV Channel 649 and Dish Network Channel 437.

POSTGAME NOTES

• For the eighth time this season, CofC used the starting lineup of senior Donavan Monroe, senior Andrew Goudelock, junior Antwaine Wiggins, sophomore Willis Hall and freshman Trent Wiedeman (6-2).
• The Cougars are now 10-4 in the all-time series with Elon and have won the last three consecutive meetings between the two schools. They avenged their only previous meeting with the Phoenix in SoCon Tournament play, a 75-61 loss in the semifinals of the 2008 Tournament held in North Charleston, S.C.
• CofC improves to 18-11 in SoCon Tournament play since its inaugural campaign in 1998-99. The Cougars will make their fifth-straight appearance in the semifinals under head coach Bobby Cremins, a league record, and eighth overall in program history.
• Andrew Goudelock registered his 45th career 20-point game with 25 points versus Elon. It also marked his 20th 20-point outing of the season. He has now recorded 2,432 career points to date which moved him into the top 5 all-time in career scoring in the SoCon record books.
• Trent Wiedeman scored in double figures for the 13th time this season with a career-high 20 points against the Phoenix as well as a game-high 12 rebounds. It marked his third career double-double.
• CofC led by 21 points at halftime, its second-largest lead this season behind a 28-point halftime lead against Vermont in ESPN BracketBusters on Feb. 19.
• The Cougars shot 50.9 percent from the floor against Elon and has now shot better than 50 percent or better in 14-of-32 games this season.

POSTGAME QUOTES

College of Charleston Head Coach Bobby Cremins

On the game ...

"It felt really good to get back to Charleston Basketball. We had not been playing Charleston Basketball as of late. Tonight, we did that versus a pesky Elon squad, especially in the first half. In the second half, we were a little rusty, but when we needed to hit shots, we did. Andrew Goudelock was able to get back into rhythm and hit some big shots tonight. Other guys stepped up, too, in (Donavan) Monroe and (Trent) Wiedeman. I am really proud of our guys and the way we played. Now, we have to get ready for a physical Furman team."

On the team leadership ...

"The leadership of this team is great and we have great chemistry. The kids understand what needs to be done and love being coached. We play hard and as a team. I think our guys just focus on what we do well as a team and don't worry about the other stuff."

College of Charleston Senior Guard Andrew Goudelock

On the game ...

"I think we really came out focused tonight and played a good game. We hit shots and were focused.  Give Elon credit. They came to play too and were determined. We knew though if we played our game - we would be fine. Furman is a physical team for sure and we will be ready to play tomorrow."