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It'll happen someday...someday...
Coastal Carolina gave it their all against the East Region's number one seed Virginia. The Chanticleers represented the Big South well and captured a nation and social media for a half at least.
Cliff Elllis' Chants did not look phased by the Cavaliers home environment in the PNC Center in Raleigh and did not look like you're typical sixteen seed. After shooting 52% in the first half Coastal went into halftime up 35-30. Warren Gillis, Josh Cameron, and Badou Diagne made noise on the perimeter while El Hadji Ndieguene patrolled the inside.
Coastal let up a Wahoo lead early in the first half but kept the game close throughout the early portion of the second half. Elijah Wilson nailed a three with just under nine minutes to play to tie the game at 47. Unfortunately that was the last time Coastal would knot the game and the wheels started to fall off for the Chants as UVA went on a 18-5 run and eventually pulled away for a 70-59 victory.
Badou Diagne ended up leading the Chants with 14 points and 6 boards. Warren Gillis also added 13 points and 5 rebounds. Freshman phenom Elijah Wilson had a particularly tough evening in Raleigh going just 2-for-13 from the field and finishing with 6 points.
Virginia now moves on to take on Memphis on Sunday. Anthony Gill finished with the high watermark for the Wahoos with 17 points off the bench.
Coastal Carolina will certainly be favored towards the top of the Big South next year. Ndieguene and reserve guard Eric Smith graduates. Cliff Ellis will gain plenty though with former NEC Freshman of the Year Shivaughn Wiggins joining the fray from Mount St. Mary's and Iowa State transfer Aaron Law.