Smith makes it Reyne in tight win
AUSTRALIAN guard Reyne Smith was the catalyst for Charleston’s win over Kent State in the NCAA thanks to an impressive shooting performance. The Cougars’ guard is a Junior, and averaging 98 points this season, but stepped up for a memorable shooting display in the 84-78 victory over the Golden Flashes.
Trailing by six points at half-time, the Cougars had to come from behind to deliver a fatal blow to their opponents with 49 points to 37 in the second half to turn that six-point deficit into a six-point win. Smith was the key behind the comeback, shooting 21 points, 15 of which came from beyond the arc, living up to his name and making it rain.
The 21-point performance shooting 62.5 per cent from the three-point line and 57.1 per cent from the field from 30 minutes on court backed up his 24-point performance a week earlier against Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. The back-to-back wins provided some relieve for the Cougars who were coming to three consecutive losses in the early part of the 2023/24 season.
Against Kent State, Ulverstone native Smith score the first triple of the day – his side’s first points – then added his second after his team had fallen behind late in the opening term. He would finish the first half with 11 points after another triple and then a successful layup, though his side still trailed by six at the main break.
Coming out of the half-time break with hot hands, Smith nailed the first two triples of the match to level the scores in the opening 90 seconds. A further layup a few minutes later continued Charleston’s fantastic start and within five minutes of the third term, the Cougars had turned a six-point deficit into an incredible 11-point lead.
Just as the Golden Flashes were edging closer with eight minutes on the clock in the final term, Smith – who had earned a break earlier – delivered a nice layup off a Jordan Crawford steal and assist. Both teams went head-to-head and the lead went back and forth over the next seven minutes, but a strong finish from the Cougars ensure they would come away with the much needed victory.
REYNE SMITH
Points: 21
FG%: 57.1 (8-14)
3P%: 62.5 (5-8)
Rebounds: 1
Steals: 1
Season Averages:
Points: 9.8
FG%: 30.0
3P%: 29.7
FT%: 82.4
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