CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Cougars host Elon to begin a 3-game homestand at TD Arena.  The game will air on FloSports. Tickets can be purchased here.


 
 


STORYLINES

• After an 8-day hiatus from game competition, Charleston returns to action on Sunday when it hosts Elon at TD Arena. The Cougars are seeking their first CAA win of the season and the first in the Pat Kelsey era. 
• Since falling to Oklahoma State on the road on Nov. 22, the Cougars have played in tight neck and neck battles in seven of their last eight contests. Six of those seven games have been decided by four or fewer points with CofC going 4-2 in those six matchups. The Cougars have had clutch game-winning buckets against Presbyterian, Chattanooga and Old Dominion, giving CofC plenty of experience when games go down to the wire as league play unfolds. 
• CofC has also shown a knack for winning "bounce-back games", responding to its previous four losses with a 3-1 record. The lone such loss came in back-to-back matchups against Power 5 programs UNC and Oklahoma State. Since Nov. 22, CofC hasn't lost back-to-back games. Before this season, Pat Kelsey hadn't lost two straight games since Feb. 10 and Feb. 13, 2020. Kelsey and the Cougars will look to continue that trend vs. Elon after the 67-66 loss to Delaware on Dec. 31.
• Charleston is 23-9 all-time vs. Elon and the Cougars have won five of the last seven meetings with the Phoenix. The two teams split last season's series at TD Arena. The Cougars have only lost four times at home to Elon in the 32-game series history. 
• Both teams enter Sunday's contest after significant pauses due to COVID-19. Elon hasn't played since Dec. 29 and CofC hasn't since Dec. 31, so both teams are ringing in 2022 together. 
• Kelsey is now 110-45 league record in league play as a head coach, averaging an impressive 12.2 league wins per year over nine seasons. Over his last 38 games as a head coach, Kelsey is 31-7. He is 1-0 all-time as a head coach against Elon, having blown out the Phoenix, 106-63, on Dec. 6, 2016 in Rock Hill. 
• Despite the loss to Delaware in which CofC managed just 66 points, the Cougars continue to score at a high rate this season. Charleston leads the CAA with 79.1 points per game and ranks 39th nationally. When reaching the 75-point mark, CofC is 7-2 this season, and 1-3 when it doesn't. 
• After nonconference play, CofC made a concerted effort to limit fouls. That effort paid off vs. Delaware as the Cougars committed a season-low 13 fouls and the Blue Hens shot just five free throws, their fewest since Dec. 2. 

THE FRESHMEN CORE

• With pandemic providing an extra season of eligibility, many teams across the country are veteran-laden groups. While CofC has its share of seniors, the Cougars are deploying a crew of five freshmen in the rotation and the youngsters have been up to the challenge. CofC's five freshmen Reyne Smith, Ben Burnham, Nikita Evdokimov, Raekwon Horton and Babacar Faye are combining for 30.9 PPG in 88+ MPG. '
• Smith, Burnham and Horton combined for 30 of CofC's 59 points at Stetson and 29 at ODU while Faye hit the game-winner vs. the Monarchs.
• A freshman has reached double figures in 10 of CofC's 13 games this season. The Cougars have racked up six CAA Rookie of the Week awards with Smith nabbing four and Burnham earning two. 
• Burnham is a 6-7 stretch four who presents a nightmare matchup for opponents with his combo of size and speed. Burnham can score at all three levels. Burnham had a career-high nine boards and eight points vs. Presbyterian and 10 pts. and 7 reb. at ODU. He's averaging 7.0 PPG and 5.8 RPG since Dec. 12. 
• Horton really came on strong at the end of non-con play. He erupted for a 14 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals - all career-highs - in the loss at Stetson. Then he had nine points and six rebounds at ODU. He's known for his relentless energy and effort.
•  Smith earned four consecutive CAA Rookie of the Week honors to begin his career, a historic achievement. He leads all CAA freshmen in scoring with 13.0 PPG (12th overall), ranks second in the CAA in threes per game with 3.0 and leads the whole league in free throw percentage, shooting a scorching 91.4 percent (12th nationally).

GAMEDAY REMINDERS

• If you selected mobile tickets, add your tickets to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay App prior to arriving at TD Arena for the smoothest entry experience.
• Don't forget the College of Charleston has implemented a Clear Bag Policy for athletics events . CLICK HERE to read the policy. (Link: https://cofcsports.com/sports/2018/10/23/college-of-charleston-athletics-clear-bag-policy.aspx )
• In accordance with College of Charleston policy, face coverings are required at TD Arena.

 
UP NEXT

• Charleston continues the home swing, hosting William & Mary on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. ET. 
• The game at TD Arena will air on FloSports.