BUIES
CREEK,
N.C. – Campbell wrapped a 21-4 run around half-time and went
on to a 76-47 victory over Division II Coker in its men's
basketball opener Saturday at Carter Gym.
Campbell's sophomore front court
tandem of Kyle Vejraska and Jonathan Rodriguez combined for 34
points and 16 rebounds and the Camels held the Cobras to 34 percent
shooting.
Vejraska scored a game-high
18 points on 6-of-10 shooting, while adding seven rebounds and two
blocked shots. Rodriguez, a
pre-season Atlantic Sun all-conference selection, added 16 points,
nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.
Senior Reggie Bishop chipped
in 13 points, including 3-of-4 threes, and six boards for Campbell
(1-0), which held a 40-30 advantage on the boards. Junior transfer Julius Perkins had
five assists in his debut at point guard, while freshman Junard
Hartley came off the bench and made four steals.
Campbell held Coker to 17-of-50
shooting from the floor and forced 23 turnovers, which the Camels
converted into 19 points.
The Camels made more free throws (20-29) than Coker attempted
(6-12) and had 12 steals.
J.C. Hafner led Coker with 11
points, including 3-of-8 shooting from 3-point range. Lukas Varga added nine
points.
The Camels jumped to an 18-5
lead on Rodriguez' lay-in with 14:58 left to play. Coker drew within 26-20 as Campbell
went more than six minutes without a field goal. Bishop's three from the left wing with
3:06 left ended the dry spell and the Camels led 34-22 at the
break.
Vejraska had 12 points and
five rebounds in the opening half, while Bishop added eight and
four boards.
Campbell opened the second period on a
13-2 run and led 47-24 after Jake Wohlfeil's jumper with 13:52
remaining. Coker was able
to cut the gap below 20 on Mason Ambler's steal and dunk in
transition with 7:46 to play, but the Camels extended the margin to
as many as 29 down the stretch.
The Camels shot 51.9 percent
(14-27) from the floor in the second half, 45.3 percent (24-53) on
the game.
Campbell returns to action Tuesday in
a 7:00 p.m. tip-off at Coastal Carolina.
