Conference finals roundup: Charleston takes CAA title in OT

Field Level Media|published: Tue 12th March, 23:29 2024

Mar 12, 2024; Washington, D.C., USA; General game action during the second half and over time of the Coastal Conference Tournament finals between the College of Charleston Cougars and the Stony Brook Seawolves at Entertainment and Sports Arena. credits: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

College of Charleston is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row after edging Stony Brook 82-79 in overtime in the Coastal Athletic Association tournament final on Tuesday in Washington, D.C.

Reyne Smith scored eight of the Cougars' nine overtime points as Charleston (27-7) never trailed in the extra session. Smith wound up with a game-high 23 points, and each of the other Charleston starters posted double-digit point totals.

Stony Brook (20-15) led by five at halftime, then fell behind by 10 with 10 minutes left in regulation. The Seawolves tied the game 73-73 on Aaron Clarke's layup with 2:12 to go, and neither team scored again in regulation.

Tyler Stephenson-Moore scored a game-high-26 points for Stony Brook, and Keenan Fitzmorris added 16 points.

Oakland 83, Milwaukee 76

Trey Townsend poured in a career-high 38 points, carrying the Golden Grizzlies past the Panthers in the Horizon League final at Indianapolis.

Oakland (23-11) captured its first Horizon League title since joining the conference in 2013-14. The Golden Grizzlies are NCAA Tournament-bound for the first time since they won their third Summit League championship in 2011.

Erik Pratt scored 16 points to pace Milwaukee (20-15).

Wagner 54, Merrimack 47

Tahron Allen scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help the visiting Seahawks top the Warriors in the Northeast Conference tournament final at North Andover, Mass.

Melvin Council Jr. added 12 points and Keyontae Lewis had eight points and 12 rebounds for Wagner (16-15), which ended a 21-year NCAA Tournament drought.

Devon Savage put up 16 points and Jordan McKoy finished with 11 for Merrimack (21-12), which was eligible to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time this season but fell just short.

—Field Level Media