ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Xavier Cooks matched his season high with 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds as Winthrop held off long-time rival Coastal Carolina, 79-67, to maintain a first-place tie with UNC Asheville atop the Big South standings Thursday night.

Winthrop plays host to UNC Asheville Saturday.

Jaylen Shaw hit a jumper to pull the Chanticleers to 57-53 with under nine minutes left, but Bjorn Broman and Cooks each hit 3-pointers to make 63-53 with 7:34 left and the Eagles cruised from there.

Cooks was 7 of 14 from the field, including 6 of 8 from beyond the arc, and was 8 for 8 from the free-throw line to help pace Winthrop (19-7, 11-4). Keon Johnson added 16 points by going 10 for 10 from the line. The Eagles were 20 for 20 as a team.

Colton Ray-St Cyr and Shaw scored 20 and 19 points, respectively, for Coastal Carolina (16-10, 10-6).