CHINA GROVE — The Carson Cougars were deadly from the foul line in the fourth quarter Friday night, propelling them to a 75-70 upset of visiting Cox Mill. Led by Marquez McCain and Jonathon Rucker, the Cougars nailed 18 of 24 free throws in the final period to stun the Chargers and snap a six-game losing streak.

“We had confidence we had a chance to make this a pretty good game,” Carson coach Brian Perry said. “We did a better job of scoring the ball tonight and held it together down the stretch with defense and free throws.”

The Chargers (10-6, 6-2) have been a top-tier team in the South Piedmont Conference all season, but a poor shooting night and a frustrating fourth quarter did them in against the Cougars (6-8, 3-4). It was a tight game in the second half with five lead changes and two ties alone in the third quarter. But the Cougars closed out the period with a pair of three pointers by Jacob Raper and Brendan Westbrook to take the lead for good.

Carson managed just two field goals in the final quarter but its numerous successful trips to the foul line enabled it to lead by as many as eight on two occasions.

McCain, a senior guard, led four players in double figures for Carson with 22. Rucker had 16 as he and McCain combined for 10 free throws in the final period. Raper finished with 12, including three 3-pointers in the first quarter, and Westbrook added 10.

Cox Mill was led by star guard Matt Morgan, a Cornell commit, who scored 18.

 

Cox Mill (70): Morgan 18, Jones, 15, Baptiste 15 Earl 13, Cline 9, Crawford, Goude, Sio, Johnson.

Carson (75): McCain 22, Rucker 16, Raper 12 Westbrook 10, Hairston 9, Isom 4, Hogue 2, Bearden.

Cox Mill 14 21 15 20  — 70

Carson 22 18 13 22 — 75