Opening Day in CBI presented by FIVE FOUR

Wyoming and Coastal Carolina Advance to Finals of CBI presented by Five Four

March 22, 2017 – REVISED March 23, 2017

Wyoming and Coastal Carolina will play for the championship of the 2017 College Basketball Invitational presented by Five Four.

The best-of-three CBI presented by Five Four Finals begins on Monday, March 27 at 7:30pm ET with Coastal Carolina hosting Wyoming. Game Two will be at Wyoming on Wednesday, March 29, at 9:00pm ET. Should a third game be needed, it will be played at Wyoming on Friday, March 31, at 7:00pm ET. All three games of the Finals will air on ESPNU with Roy Philpott and Corey Williams calling the action.

In Conway, S.C., five Chanticleers scored in double figures to lead Coastal Carolina to an 89-78 win over UIC.

Jaylen Shaw led all Coastal scorers with 22 points to go with four assists. Demario Beck posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, Elijah Wilson had 16 points, Colton Ray-St. Cyr recorded 12 points, six rebounds, and six assists, and Artur Labinowicz added 10 points and six boards.

Tai Odiase scored the first basket of the game for UIC at the 30-second mark. Wilson made a layup 40 seconds later and Coastal never trailed after that. Odiase ended the game with 10 points.

Trakus Ferguson led all scorers with 27 points along with seven rebounds. Marcus Ottey netted 11 points and Dominique Matthews tallied 10 points.

The Chants had a season high 16 steals which resulted in 23 UIC turnovers and 24 Coastal points off turnovers.

In Laramie, Wyo., Justin James scored 16 points and Wyoming converted 14 Utah Valley turnovers into 21 points in taking a 74-68 decision.

The win advances the Cowboys to their first CBI Finals. Wyoming is playing in the CBI for the fifth time.

James was joined in double figures by Jason McManaman and Louis Adams, who each scored 12 points while Hayden Dalton posted six points and 10 rebounds.

Whereas the Cowboys scored 21 points off turnovers, Utah Valley only converted seven points off 10 Wyoming turnovers.

Connor Toolson was the lone Wolverine starter to score in double digits, netting 15 points to go along with seven rebounds. Isaac Neilson came off the bench to record 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Brandon Randolph had 10 points and five assists off the bench.

Although the game was close throughout, Utah Valley only led for 42 seconds.

Wyoming is the third Mountain West Conference team to reach the CBI Finals. Nevada won the CBI last season while Fresno State lost in three games in 2014. Coastal Carolina is the first Sun Belt Conference team to make the Finals.

Be sure to follow the CBI presented by Five Four on Twitter (@cbitourney), Facebook (College Basketball Invitational), and Instagram (cbitourney).

 
 
 

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