Free throws, some uncharacteristic turnovers and poor blocking out doomed the Cougars against the Tigers.
However, the way the Cougars bounced back against Drexel, hitting the 90-point mark, was impressive on a number of levels.
It showed that Riller, who ended with 30 points against the Dragons, can put back-to-back 20-point-plus performances together and the Cougars were able to score on the road in a conference game.
I think that gives the Cougars a little bit of momentum they didn?t have as they head into Thursday night?s game against UNC Wilmington.
Neither team played particularly well, especially offensively, in the first meeting, a 62-59, UNCW victory at TD Arena back on Jan. 19.
I would expect both teams to shoot better this time around, they can?t shoot much worse, neither team shot better than 36 percent for the game.
While the Cougars had just 11 turnovers against the Seahawks' pressure defense, the ones they did have were at crucial moments and led to easy baskets.
That can?t happen again if the Cougars are going to win.
CofC also needs to rebound better, especially on the defensive boards. They can?t give the Seahawks second chances to score.
Despite the Cougars loss to Towson, Thursday night's match-up is still for first place in the CAA. The Seahawks were blown out by William & Mary on Saturday, so it can be done.
Joe Chealey, Riller and Jarrell Brantley, who fouled out in the first game, will each have to score and be effective.
They Said It
?The biggest thing is that we are older and have more experience now. The maturity factor. It?s a lot easier to go on the road with second-and third-year guys than it is with just first-year guys. Last year, there were a lot of first-year guys, because our third year guys were injured.? ? CofC coach Earl Grant.
?We just need to come out focused and ready to play. We have to execute our game plan. We can?t get too caught up in trying to get revenge, so to speak. Just playing hard is the key for us. Obviously, we learned that they (UNCW) are a tough team and are the real deal. We handled their pressure really well and didn?t have too many turnovers in the last game against them. We can?t let our emotions get the best of us and just have to go out there and stick to our game plan.? ? CofC guard Grant Riller.
However, the way the Cougars bounced back against Drexel, hitting the 90-point mark, was impressive on a number of levels.
It showed that Riller, who ended with 30 points against the Dragons, can put back-to-back 20-point-plus performances together and the Cougars were able to score on the road in a conference game.
I think that gives the Cougars a little bit of momentum they didn?t have as they head into Thursday night?s game against UNC Wilmington.
Neither team played particularly well, especially offensively, in the first meeting, a 62-59, UNCW victory at TD Arena back on Jan. 19.
I would expect both teams to shoot better this time around, they can?t shoot much worse, neither team shot better than 36 percent for the game.
While the Cougars had just 11 turnovers against the Seahawks' pressure defense, the ones they did have were at crucial moments and led to easy baskets.
That can?t happen again if the Cougars are going to win.
CofC also needs to rebound better, especially on the defensive boards. They can?t give the Seahawks second chances to score.
Despite the Cougars loss to Towson, Thursday night's match-up is still for first place in the CAA. The Seahawks were blown out by William & Mary on Saturday, so it can be done.
Joe Chealey, Riller and Jarrell Brantley, who fouled out in the first game, will each have to score and be effective.
They Said It
?The biggest thing is that we are older and have more experience now. The maturity factor. It?s a lot easier to go on the road with second-and third-year guys than it is with just first-year guys. Last year, there were a lot of first-year guys, because our third year guys were injured.? ? CofC coach Earl Grant.
?We just need to come out focused and ready to play. We have to execute our game plan. We can?t get too caught up in trying to get revenge, so to speak. Just playing hard is the key for us. Obviously, we learned that they (UNCW) are a tough team and are the real deal. We handled their pressure really well and didn?t have too many turnovers in the last game against them. We can?t let our emotions get the best of us and just have to go out there and stick to our game plan.? ? CofC guard Grant Riller.
