CONWAY, S.C. (AP) - Winthrop used its smothering defense to beat top-seeded Coastal Carolina 64-53 on Saturday, winning another Big South Conference title and earning its fifth trip to the NCAA tournament in the past six years.
Mantoris Robinson scored 14 points to lead the Eagles (19-13), who have gone to an opponent's home floor two of the past three years to win the title. They're headed for the NCAA tournament for the ninth time since 1999.
After forcing a shot clock violation, Reggie Middleton's bucket with 9:49 to go put No. 3 seed Winthrop ahead 38-37, and it outscored the Chanticleers 26-17 the rest of the way.
Chad Gray had 16 points to lead Coastal Carolina (28-6), which shot just 36.5 percent from the floor. The team's leading scorer, Joseph Harris, was held to just three points.
Coastal Carolina will head to the National Invitation Tournament. Those brackets will be revealed Sunday March 14.
