BOCA RATON, Fla. – The College of Charleston men's basketball team never trailed on their way to their third straight win, a 76-67 victory over Liberty to open the Field of 68 Tip-Off at Florida Atlantic.

After an alley-oop to James Scott to start the game, the Cougars shot nearly 60% from the field through the early minutes of the game while holding Liberty to just over 40% from the field. Charleston led the entire half, holding their largest edge at 32-25 with just four minutes left in the frame.

Ben Burnham posted 11 first half points to help the Cougars enter the locker room up 37-33. Charleston also outrebounded the Flames 18-13 in the half.

Burnham continued the scoring with a floater right out of the half followed up back-to-back three pointers from CJ Fulton and Jordan Crawford.

A 6-0 run from Liberty brought the Flames within one point of the Cougars at 49-48 until a three-minute Liberty scoring drought and a dagger three pointer from Reyne Smith extended the Charleston advantage to ten with eight minutes to play. The Cougars never looked back to secure the 76-67 win.

KEY COUGARS

• Burnham led all players with 18 points to go with eight rebounds.
• Crawford ended his second straight game in double-digit scoring, contributing 11 in the win, while Fulton went 3-for-6 from the field for nine points.
• Frankie Policelli and Kobe Rodgers grabbed six rebounds each.

GAME NOTES

• The Cougars shot 49% from the field compared to the Flames 38%. Ten different Cougars scored in the contest.
• Charleston won the rebounding battle 39-36.
• Both teams participated in the Myrtle Beach Invitational in November with the Flames taking home the tournament title.

UP NEXT

• The Cougars will have a quick turn around as they prepare to face No. 13 FAU tomorrow. The game will air on ESPNU, action is set for 6:00 p.m.