Cougars Survive Overtime Thriller, Advance to CAA Semifinals

Sunday, March 9

Washington, D.C.

8:30 PM

College of Charleston

24-8,13-5CAA

No. 6 Monmouth

13-20,10-8CAA

OT 1

Monmouth

Col. of Charleston

Cougars Survive Overtime Thriller, Advance to CAA Semifinals

3/10/2025 1:06:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The No. 3 College of Charleston men's basketball team held on for a 79-78 overtime win over No. 6 Monmouth to advance to the semifinals of the 2025 Jersey Mike's CAA Men's Basketball Championship. The Cougars will take on No. 2 UNCW on Monday, March 10 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network for a spot in the title game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Charleston started the game on a 7-0 run before Monmouth went on a run of their own to take a 13-11 lead. Justas Stonkus tied it at 13-13 on a pair of free throws with 12 minutes remaining in the half.
Neither team gained more than a two-point edge until CJ Fulton sank a three to give the Cougars a 30-25 lead with three minutes to play.
The Cougars struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 10-26 from the field Charleston forced a Monmouth shot clock violation to end the first half and enter the locker room up one 34-33. AJ Smith led Charleston with 12 points in the half.
Charleston opened the second half on a 7-0, highlighted by another Fulton triple to force a Monmouth timeout. The Hawks responded, cutting the lead to three with 15 minutes to play and tied it 46-46 with fourteen to play.
The teams traded points until clutch plays from Derrin Boyd and AJ Smith gave Charleston back to 63-60 lead with five minutes to play. Neither team lead by more than three points through the final minutes of play.
Monmouth held a 72-70 lead with 18 seconds remaining in regulation before a Lazar Djokovic led to an Ante Brzovic bucket down low for the equalizer from the paint to send the contest to overtime.
Undefeated this season in extra time, Smith, Boyd and Fulton provided the overtime offense. A Boyd steal led to a Monmouth foul and two clutch free throws to help secure the victory.

All tied up after the Ante bucket pic.twitter.com/qV7XqP3EoZ
— Charleston Basketball (@CofCBasketball) March 10, 2025

KEY COUGARS

Brzovic led Charleston with 24 points and eight rebounds followed by Smith with 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Boyd added 16 points to go with eight rebounds.
Fulton contributed 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists. The senior recorded his 500^th career rebound in the second half.
Djokovic grabbed seven boards.

All tied up after the Ante bucket pic.twitter.com/qV7XqP3EoZ
— Charleston Basketball (@CofCBasketball) March 10, 2025

GAME NOTES

Charleston outshot Monmouth 46% to 42%
The Cougars won the rebounding battle 39-36.
This marks the fourth straight season Charleston has advanced to the CAA semifinals.
The game was the third Cougars overtime win of the season.

UP NEXT

Charleston will face UNCW for the third time is season for a chance to play for the CAA title. Action is set for 8:30 p.m.
Dave Ryan and Pete Gillen have the call on CBS Sports Network. As always, Cougar fans can listen to the Voice of the Cougars Everett German and Danny Johnson on the Varsity App.