Going Coastal: Chants win 2nd straight Big South title 81-70

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) — Warren Gillis scored 22 points and Elijah Wilson had 14 of his 19 in the second half to lead Coastal Carolina to its second consecutive NCAA berth with an 81-70 victory over Winthrop in the Big South Conference tournament championship on Sunday.

The Chanticleers (24-9) defeated Winthrop in the finals for a second straight year, using a 15-4 run at the start of the second half to take control of a game tied at 38-all.

Coastal Carolina’s victory brings the 10th NCAA tournament appearance for coach Cliff Ellis, the only Division I coach with 150 or more victories at four separate schools. Ellis last year joined the club of 11 coaches who have taken four teams to the NCAAs. Now, he’s done it multiple times at each of his four stops: South Alabama, Clemson, Auburn and Coastal Carolina.

Keon Johnson led Winthrop (19-13) with 18 points.