The Cavaliers struggled to bounce back after a 10-point deficit going into the second half and couldn't grab a win in the DeLoach Center on Saturday, falling to league opponent Coker Cobras 80-71.

In the first half, the UVA Wise Highland Cavaliers (0-8, 0-6 SAC) took an early five-point lead at the 11:43 mark with the help of a Bradley Dean shot from downtown. The Coker Cobras (2-6, 2-3 SAC) were able to slither away with a lead, though, with a floater by leading team scorer Chandler Lindsay at the 10-minute mark. The Cavs and the Cobras went neck-and-neck — causing 11 lead changes — until Zavier Measmer sank a three-pointer and started a rally that led the Cobras to a game-changing 10 point lead that the Cavs couldn't overcome. 

Coker was able to take control in the first half by their sharp shots from the field, as the team hit 20 out of 25 buckets. The Cavs weren't able to capitalize from the field, however, and only connected on 14 of 34 shots.

The 10-point deficit going into the second was difficult for the Cavs to crawl back from, even with a career-high 23 points double-double performance from Joel Pettiford and two other Cavs in double-digits. At the 19:24 mark in the second half, the Cavs found themselves trailing to the Cobras by 13 points after William Onyeodi was fouled and hit a bucket from the charity stripe. After five minutes, Dean once again hit another three — his 4th sank three-pointer on the night — to get the Cavs within five. The Cobras felt the pressure and stepped it up a notch, hitting a jumper and both foul shots by Jahnarious Snell to go ahead nine. Cobras then went on a run, outscoring the Cavs 20-8 by the 3:02 mark. The Cavs attempted a comeback, but fell short by 9 at the final buzzer. 

Even with the Cobras missing all six three-pointers in the second half, the Cavs still fell short of Coker's performance from the arc, only hitting 10 of 35 shots. Chandler of the Cobras led his team with 18 points and seven rebounds to the victory.

The Cavaliers will head back home for a SAC battle against the Carson-Newman Eagles on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

For all Cavalier news, statistics, and more, visit www.uvawisecavs.com.