CONWAY, S.C. – Three players scored in double figures including a game-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting from preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association Second Team selection Grant Riller as College of Charleston escaped Coastal Carolina with a two-point road win, 67-65, on Friday night at the HTC Center.
 
Jarrell Brantley hit four-straight free throws in the final seconds of regulation to help the Cougars (9-3) close out non-conference play winning seven of their last eight games before the CAA opener.
 
CofC has now won back-to-back games against the Chanticleers (6-7) on their home court. Joe Chealey added to the winning cause with 14 points and Cameron Johnson 11.
 
There were 17 lead changes and the score was tied on 10 occasions during the game. Coastal Carolina led 27-26 at halftime, but the Cougars were sparked in the second half by three-pointers from Chealey and Johnson. Riller was the only player in double figures in the first half where he scored 15 of his 24.
 
The Cougars will enjoy a couple of days off for the holiday break before opening conference play against Towson (10-3) on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 4 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. Tickets can be purchased by calling (843) 953-COFC or online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
 
POSTGAME NOTES
• For the sixth-straight game, College of Charleston started Joe Chealey, Grant Riller, Cameron Johnson, Jaylen McManus and Nick Harris.
• With the win, CofC continues to dominate the all-time series versus Coastal Carolina, 38-11. The Cougars have now won five of the last six meetings between the two Palmetto State schools. Each of the last five contests have been decided by single digits.
• Grant Riller reached double figures for the sixth-consecutive game with a game-high 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field at Coastal Carolina. It marked his fifth game this season with 20-or-more points and his third-straight next to 21 points at Rhode Island on Dec. 16 and career-high 31 points versus South Carolina State on Dec. 19.
• Joe Chealey registered 14 points at Coastal Carolina and has now scored in double figures in 11-of-12 contests this season.
• Cameron Johnson turned in his sixth game this season in double figures with 11 points including two big three-pointers in the second half at Coastal Carolina.
• The Cougars defensively held the Chanticleers to their second-lowest scoring output of the season (65 points) and 6.3 percent shooting from the perimeter (1-for-16).
• Nick Harris grabbed a game-high nine rebounds including eight on the defensive end in 30 minutes of action at Coastal Carolina.
• Jarrell Brantley went 6-for-6 from the free throw line at Coastal Carolina including 4-for-4 down the stretch. He is now a perfect 8-for-8 on the season having played in the last two games for the Cougars after missing most of non-conference play.
 
POSTGAME QUOTES
College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant
On the game …
"We knew coming in that this would be a really tough game. Coastal has been playing well and lost some very close ones against some Power 5 schools. We had a lot of guys step-up and make big plays tonight. And again, it was a little choppy out there. It was Jarrell Brantley's second game back. He was trying to find a way to help us and get into a rhythm. I kept telling him that, 'you haven't played in a game in two months, so maybe it will take a while. Just keep making plays on defense and something good will happen to you at the end.' He came in and ended up making 4-for-4 from the free throw line down the stretch which was beautiful to see."
 
On the play of Grant Riller the last six games …
"He is playing with a lot of confidence. But, he is still getting a lot of transition baskets. He is really good in transition. The better our defense is, the better he is offensively, because he gets to run out and play 2 versus 1 or 3 versus 2. He is very elusive that way. He is shooting the ball well right now."
 
College of Charleston Sophomore Guard Grant Riller
On the road win …
"It meant a lot. You don't really want to go into Christmas break with a loss, especially with CAA play coming up. Just being able to get a win tonight, it boosts our confidence that much more."
 
On the big plays in the second half by Joe Chealey and Cameron Johnson …
"That's why we are so dangerous as a team. One guy can have a good half and we can come out in the next half with two more guys putting it on. Having JB (Jarrell Brantley) back also adds another piece to the puzzle."
 
On having Jarrell Brantley back in the lineup …
"It has been amazing. Tonight, his shot wasn't falling too much. For him to have the heart to still go make those last free throws at the end, just shows what kind of player he is and how much we need him to win."