CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Chad Gray and Anthony Raffa scored 23 points each to lead Coastal Carolina to an 83-72 victory over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night in the first round of the Big South tournament.
Sam McLaurin had 14 points and 14 rebounds to lead the top-seeded Chanticleers (27-4) into the second round, where they will host fourth-seeded Virginia Military Institute on Thursday.
Coastal Carolina, playing without leading scorer Desmond Holloway, who is suspended during an NCAA investigation, hit nine 3-pointers and shot 54.8 percent from the field (28 of 51).
The Chanticleers led 71-67 with 3 minutes left before going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line and getting a 3-pointer from Raffa to seal the victory.