Poca (WV) scored a 61-50 victory over Socastee (SC) in a consolation bracket game of the 35th Annual Beach Ball Classic at the Myrtle Beach (SC) Convention Center. The Dots (5-1) advance to play Mullins (SC) in a quarterfinal game of the consolation bracket on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.
Poca never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 16 points after pulling away early in the second half. Leading 23-21 with 14:21 on the clock in the second 16-minute half, Poca used an 11-4 run to open a 34-25 cushion with 12:12 to play. Socastee (5-6; Myrtle Beach, SC) closed the gap to five points twice over the next three minutes but a decisive 13-2 run by Poca that opened the Dots’ largest margin of 16 points at 49-33 with 7:32 on the clock sealed the victory. During that stretch, Elijah Cuffee connected on a pair of 3-point baskets and a driving layup that capped the run.
Cuffee, a signee at Liberty University, led all scorers with 23 points while adding 11 rebounds and six assists for Poca. Luke Frampton chipped in 17 points and five steals for the Dots and Kaden Meeks posted 10 points.
Socastee was led by 7-1 center Jason Cudd’s 15 points.
