Cougars Close Out 2025 with Fifth Straight Win

Wednesday, December 31

Elon, N.C.

2:00 PM

College of Charleston

9-6,2-0CAA

Elon

9-6,1-1CAA

Col. of Charleston

Elon

12/31/2025 4:49:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

ELON, N.C. – The College of Charleston men's basketball team ended 2025 win the Cougars' fifth straight a win, an 85-81 victory at Elon to move to 2-0 in conference play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Martin Kalu propelled the Cougar offense to a17-8 lead with ten points through the opening 12 minutes of play.
The Phoenix came within five at 38-33 before going 0-4 from the field to end half to give Charleston a 41-33 edge at the break. Kalu led the Cougars with 12 points while Chol Machot blocked six shots, tying his season-high in the opening 20 minutes.
Charleston started the second half on a 6-0 run before taking a 14-point lead, their largest of the day.
After holding at least a two-possession lead for majority of the second half, the Phoenix cut it to three with 56 seconds to play. Jlynn Counter found Kalu on the baseline to make it a five-point game at 82-77 with 28 seconds remaining. Connor Hickman controlled the defensive rebound on the Phoenix's final field goal attempt to help seal the win.

1H 13:30 | CofC 14, Elon 8

Back-to-back threes for ??? pic.twitter.com/SrxwkSOLer
— Charleston Basketball (@CofCBasketball) December 31, 2025

KEY COUGARS

Kalu led Charleston with 19 points followed by Counter with 16, Machot with 15, and Hickman with ten.
Two Cougars flirted with triple-doubles as Machot added 15 rebounds and seven blocks, the second most in a single game in school history. Counter dished out nine assists and grabbed nine rebounds.

Halftime from the Schar Center and @chol_machot already has six blocks ?? pic.twitter.com/nkrIYQvZie
— Charleston Basketball (@CofCBasketball) December 31, 2025

GAME NOTES

Machot has recorded a block in ten straight contests, totaling 41 on the season.
The teams shot an identical 44.1% from the field. Charleston held the league's leading offense below their 87.1 season average.
Charleston won the rebounding battle 43-32.
The Cougars shot 90% from the free throw line, their best performance from the charity stripe so far this season.
Charleston moves to 31-9 all-time against the Phoenix and are winners of the last eight.

DOOOOGANNN 3? pic.twitter.com/Ty9XZEjnKA
— Charleston Basketball (@CofCBasketball) December 31, 2025

UP NEXT

Charleston, now 9-6 overall, will host William & Mary at TD Arena to open 2026 on Monday, January 6. The contest will mark the Cougars season debut and first of five games in 2026 on CBS Sports Network. Action is set for 7:00 p.m. in Charleston.

For complete coverage of Charleston men's basketball, follow us on X (@CofCBasketball) and Instagram (@CofCBasketball).