College of Charleston Beats Southern Illinois 90-80 in Tournament Opener

Exciting Matchup Sets Tone for March Madness

The College of Charleston Cougars kicked off their NCAA Tournament run with a thrilling 90-80 victory over the Southern Illinois Salukis on Thursday night. The high-scoring affair was a back-and-forth battle, but the Cougars ultimately pulled away in the second half to secure the win.

The Cougars were led by Pat Robinson III, who scored a game-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He also dished out six assists and grabbed four rebounds. Jermaine Marrow added 18 points for the Cougars, while Jarrell Brantley chipped in with 15 points.

The Salukis were led by Armon Fletcher, who scored 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting. Reggie Agbeko added 17 points for the Salukis, while Kavion Pippen Jr. chipped in with 15 points.

The Cougars shot 50% from the field, while the Salukis shot 43%. The Cougars also outrebounded the Salukis 37-29.

The win was the Cougars' first NCAA Tournament victory since 1999. They will face the Auburn Tigers in the second round on Saturday night.