CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Zep Jasper matched his career high with 21 points as College of Charleston beat Towson, 90-88, in double overtime on Saturday at TD Arena.
 
Payton Willis had 17 points, including a 3-pointer with 49 seconds left in the first overtime, to tie the game at 82. He also dished out a career-high eight assists for the Cougars (6-8, 4-3 CAA).
 
Cameron Copeland had 10 points, including the buzzer beating 3-pointer that tied the game at the end of regulation, and nine rebounds.
 
Brenden Tucker added 10 points, but went 1-of-2 from the foul line with 6.7 seconds to go at the end of the second OT, giving the Tigers a final shot, but a 3-point attempt by Jason Gibson rimmed out.
 
Zane Martin scored a season-high 34 points for the Tigers (3-11, 2-7), whose losing streak reached six games. Charles Thompson scored a career-high 20 points and had three blocks. Nicolas Timberlake had 13 points and seven rebounds.
 
The rematch between the Cougars and Tigers will tip-off tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. Mobile tickets can purchased online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
 
POSTGAME NOTES
· For the seventh-consecutive conference game, College of Charleston started Zep Jasper, Payton Willis, Brenden Tucker, Lorenzo Edwards and Osinachi Smart (4-3).
· College of Charleston extended its win streak in the all-time series with Towson to five-straight games. The Cougars now lead 12-7 in the series with the Tigers.
· It was the second overtime game of the season for the Cougars and first double OT game since a 57-55 (2OT) loss at UNCW on Feb. 26, 2014.
· The Cougars scored 90-or-more points in a single game for the third time this season next to 99 points in a win over NCAA Division II Limestone on Nov. 28 and 90 points in a victory over South Carolina State on Dec. 11.
· Zep Jasper registered a career-and season-high tying 21 points on 8-of-18 shooting from the field against Towson. It was his second career 20-point outing and 11th double-figuring scoring game of the season.
· Payton Willis turned in his 11th double-digit game of the season with 17 points including four 3-pointers versus Towson. He also dished out a career-high tying eight assists.
· Osinachi Smart recorded his second career double-double with 10 points and a career-best 13 rebounds versus Towson. It marked his fourth double-figure rebounding game of the season and sixth of his career.
· Brenden Tucker extended his double-digit scoring streak to four games with 10 points in 32 minutes of action against Towson.
· Cameron Copeland turned in a near double-double performance with 10 points and a career-and season-high tying nine rebounds versus Towson.
· Country music star and Charleston resident, Darius Rucker, was in attendance at Saturday's game.
 
POSTGAME QUOTES
 
College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant
On the double overtime win and team's depth …
"Give our guys credit. They did what they needed to do today. We typically want to play nine guys and maybe even 10. We did that today and that was huge for us. A lot of different people stepped up and did good things. We needed everybody. We will need them again tomorrow."
 
On the difference between the first half and second half …
"We started getting better shots (in the second half). We tried to drive it into the paint. Some of it was patience to take a great shot. In the second half, guys made timely plays. In particular, Cam Copeland making that three at the end of regulation. We executed a play and we didn't panic. The guys got it to Cam Copeland and he made a huge three. Payton Willis made a huge three late. Zep (Jasper) made a pull-up three. DeAngelo Epps took a charge. There were a lot of things that happened and I thought it was a total team effort."
 
College of Charleston Junior Guard/Forward Cameron Copeland
On the last play in regulation to tie the game and send it to overtime …
"Of course, it was a fast one and we were looking to get a layup in. I saw Payton (Willis) dribble down the court. I thought he was going to take it all the way. But, he saw me. I looked at the clock and there was no time left. I just let it fly."
 
On coming back after a two-week team pause …
"Mentally, we just had to get ourselves back after a two-week break. We were better than we thought we would be. We thought we would be slow, but we played 10 times better than what we thought we would today."
 
On the Towson game always being an annual battle with the Cougars …
"It was a dog fight. Coach Grant did say it would be based on physicality. The little things – 50/50 balls, rebounds and charges. We got some big-time plays at the end. It all worked out."