Thomas scores 18 as College of Charleston defeats Western Carolina 78-70 in SoCon
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Anthony Thomas scored 18 points and Adjehi Baru had 14 points and 13 rebounds in third-seeded College of Charleston's 78-70 win over sixth-seeded Western Carolina in the quarterfinals of the Southern Conference tournament Saturday night.
The Cougars (23-9) will play No. 2 seed Elon Sunday.
After the Catamounts (14-19) erased a 13-4 deficit with a 17-3 run, the Cougars regained the lead and took a 31-28 advantage into halftime.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Preston Ross' dunk got Western Carolina within one, then Baru scored six points within a 14-4 spurt. The Catamounts (14-19), who lost to College of Charleston 67-65 on Feb. 20, couldn't get closer than eight the rest of the way.
Andrew Lawrence added 16 points, making 2 of 11 field goals, but hitting 12 of 14 free throws as the Cougars outscored Western Carolina 29-9 from the line.
Trey Sumler scored 25 points and James Sinclair added 19 for the Catamounts.