Anthony Raffa scored 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds as Coastal Carolina beat Akron 74-70 in overtime Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Kierre Greenwood added 19 points and Warren Gillis chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds for Coastal Carolina. Raffa notched game-highs in 3-pointers (4) and free throws made (7).
The game remained close throughout, as there were 12 lead changes and 11 ties over the first two periods.
Akron's Alex Abreu knocked down two free throws to send the game into overtime. Coastal Carolina, however, pulled away in the extra period, as Raffa converted two 3-pointers in a two-minute span to put the Chanticleers ahead 71-66.
Abreu sank two more free throws to narrow the gap to 73-70 with 25 seconds left to play in overtime but Raffa made a free throw of his own with two seconds left to seal the win.
