CHARLESTON, S.C. – Joe Chealey scored a game-high 24 points to lead College of Charleston to a 76-61 rout of former archival Davidson on Sunday night at TD Arena.
 
The Cougars (6-3) handed the Wildcats (5-2) only their second loss of the season and snapped their four-game win streak.
 
Both programs were previously members of the Southern Conference prior to joining the Colonial Athletic Association and Atlantic 10 Conference. It marked CofC's first win in the all-time series since 2013 and first under third-year head coach Earl Grant.
 
Charleston shot an improved 56 percent from the field (14-of-25) in the second half where the Cougars went on a 25-4 run and double-digit lead.
 
The Wildcats were held to 20 percent shooting in the second half (5-of-25) and a season-low 33.9 percent for the game versus the CofC defense. Davidson was also held to a season-low 61 points.
 
Jarrell Brantley turned in his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Cameron Johnson added a season-high 15 points in the victory.
 
CofC trailed by nine points at halftime, 39-30. Davidson was led in scoring by Jack Gibbs with 23 points and Peyton Aldridge with 21.
 
The Cougars head into finals week and will return to action against Anderson University (S.C.) on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. (ET) at the North Charleston Coliseum.
 
POSTGAME NOTES

• With the win, College of Charleston claimed its first victory in the all-time series since 2013 and first under head coach Earl Grant. The Cougars avenged a close 82-81 road loss at Davidson last season. It was only the 16th win against the Wildcats in the all-time series dating back to 1927.
• Joe Chealey recorded his fourth career 20-point game with a game-high 24 points against Davidson. It tied his season high of 24 points versus The Citadel in the season opener on Nov. 11. He also dished out a season-best five assists and two steals and shot 6-of-14 from the field, 3-for-5 from beyond the arc and 9-for-10 from the free throw line.
• Jarrell Brantley turned in his third double-double of the season with 16 points and 11 rebounds versus Davidson. He extended his double-digit scoring streak to nine consecutive games.
• Cameron Johnson registered a season-high 15 points against Davidson and five rebounds.
• The Cougars held Davidson to a season-low 61 points and 33.9 percent shooting from the field and 23.3 percent from beyond the arc.

POSTGAME QUOTES
College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant
On the game …
"After all that we have been through this season with a tough start. For me personally, I have to give God all the glory. It was unbelievable to watch that game from the sideline – knowing that we were going through some adversity. We were nine points down at the half and we weren't playing to the best of our ability. We went into the locker room at the half and made a few adjustments. Our guys really came out in the second half. If we were going to win the game, Davidson would be scoring in the 60's and that's what we did."
 
On the team's defense and adjustments in the second half …
"It really wasn't anything different. We made them (Davidson) earn everything. Every possession is a game in itself. We started contesting every shot and trying to rebound that first miss. It helped our offense and we got into transition. Again, we are a defensive team. We are going to defend and rebound. I know people complain about offense, but if you can hold people down and it's a miss, you can run the other way. That's what we focus on. We did execute in the half court. It was one of our best total games so far this year."
 
College of Charleston Redshirt Junior Guard Joe Chealey
On the big win over Davidson …
"It's always a tough game versus them (Davidson). It has been since my freshman year here and last year when we lost there by one (point). We knew this was a big game for us. It's a SoCon rivalry that dates back in the day for our program."
 
On the difference in the second half defensively …
"We played the same defense. They (Davidson) hit some shots in the first half. They usually shoot 30 threes per game which they did tonight. Coach (Grant) told us to keep contesting their shots. We will live with a contested shot if they make that three, but the majority of the time, you won't make a contested three, and that's what we did in the second half."
 
College of Charleston Sophomore Forward Jarrell Brantley
On the team's defense holding Davidson to five made field goals in the second half …
"It means a lot, but at the same time, we are who we are. We are known for playing defense. That's what we stick to. No matter how we are doing on offense. We stick together and get stops."