CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston men's basketball team defeated Rhode Island 85-70 in their return to TD Arena to open up a month-long homestand.
 
After an initial slow start, the Cougars battled back to a 10-8 lead early in the frame. Both teams traded shots before CJ Fulton hit a triple dished by Ben Burnham off a fastbreak steal to tie the game up at 18. The Rams regained their momentum, gaining a six-point lead with eight minutes left in the first half.
 
The Cougars then took advantage of a 7-0 run highlighted by a Reyne Smith trey to take a 27-26 lead. The Rams battled back, but Charleston took advantage of a 13-2 run led by six straight from Burnham to give the Cougars their largest lead thus far at 33-28. The Cougars continued to hold their lead throughout the last four minutes of the half to enter the locker room up 37-34.
 
Charleston kept the momentum into the second half, going on an early 6-0 run and never allowing Rhode Island to retake the lead. The Cougars then pushed to a 12-point lead, forcing a two-minute scoring drought from the Rams.
 
Jordan Crawford lit up the Cougar offense with three triples in three minutes to push to a 66-51 lead. Smith hit back-to-back treys to ignite a 10-run that was capped by a James Scott slam for a 21-point lead.
 
Key Cougars

• Burnham led the Cougars with a season-high 23 points, two points shy of his career-high
• Smith dropped 12 points, all from beyond the arc
• Fulton tied his career-high 6 steals while dishing out 5 assists

Game Notes

• The Cougars shot 51% from the field and 43% from three, both season-highs
• Ante Brzovic scored his 1000th career point in the second half
• The Charleston bench contributed 39 points compared to the Rams 27.

Up Next

• The Cougars, now 5-4, will continue the five-game homestand with crosstown rival The Citadel. Tip-off is set for Thursday 7:00 p.m. in TD Arena.