HARTSVILLE, S.C. --- Tusculum University defeated Coker University 4-1 in a matchup of nationally-ranked South Atlantic Conference men's tennis teams Saturday afternoon at the Coker Tennis Courts.

The 30th-ranked Pioneers (10-2, 3-1 SAC) trailed after doubles and needed to rally from a set down in two of their four singles victories over the 49th-ranked Cobras (6-5, 1-3 SAC).

In doubles play, Marcio Silva and Lucas Melone of Coker beat Reese McCann and Angus Howard 6-2 at flight one, and Marko Pozonec and Edoardo Pilia teamed for a 6-1 win at flight three over David Negzaoui and Will Gee to put the Cobras ahead 1-0 in the match.

The Pioneers would sweep the four completed singles matches from the Cobras, starting with a 6-4, 6-3 win by Negzaoui over Pozonec at flight three. At flight two, Romain Payan came from a set down to beat Melone 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 and put the Pioneers up 2-1.

McCann downed Joao Casas Moreira 6-4, 6-4 at flight five, and Howard delivered his third straight clinching point for the Pioneers as he came back for a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 win over Andy Huynh at flight six. Howard also rallied from a set down to clinch wins over Anderson on March 4 and Newberry on March 7.

The Pioneers are home to take on Carson-Newman on Wednesday, March 18 at 11 a.m. at the Nichols Tennis Complex. The Eagles have won back-to-back matches to improve to 3-7 overall and 1-2 in SAC play.