Chris Gradnigo had 23 points to lead four Coastal Carolina players in double-figure scoring as the Chanticleers crushed Division III Methodist 104-61 on Saturday night.
Anthony Raffa scored 17 points, Kierre Greenwood 14 and Dexter Moore 12 for the Chanticleers (2-0). Gradnigo added eight rebounds and three blocks.
Methodist led 17-14 midway through the first half, but Gradnigo hit two jumpers and a dunk to spark a 14-0 run and Coastal Carolina never trailed again. The Chanticleers led by 16 points at halftime and outscored the Monarchs 56-29 in the second half to seal it.
Coastal Carolina outshot Methodist 56.7 percent (38 of 67) to 40.7 percent (22 of 54), and won the battle of the boards 47-27. The Chanticleers outscored the Monarchs 54-22 in the paint and 38-24 in bench scoring.
Mark Jernigan and James Whitehead scored 15 points apiece to lead Methodist.
