College of Charleston graduate forward John Meeks was too hot for the Pride to handle.

In the Cougars’ 92-76 win over the Hofstra men’s basketball team Sunday night, Meeks scored 31 points — a game and season-high. He was one point shy of the career-high he set on Jan. 31, 2021 as a member of the Bucknell University Bison.

“[Meeks] is a really good player. He is a tough guard,” said Hofstra head coach Speedy Claxton. “He can kill you in a number of ways and he definitely did that. It didn’t really matter how we played him — he took advantage of us, whether it was inside or outside. We had our hands full with him.”

With 6:14 remaining in the game and the Pride mounting a comeback, Meeks made perhaps his most important shot — a beautiful and-one jumper from the corner — improving the Cougars’ lead to 12. The next possession, after Hofstra senior guard Omar Silverio missed a three-pointer, Meeks hit another big one — and just like, the lead was 14.

 In the first half alone, Meeks had 22 points (7-for-9 from the field, 4-for-4 from deep, 4-for-4 from the free-throw line). In all, he was 11-for-16 from the field, including 4-for-5 from behind the arc.

“[Meeks] was sensational,” said Charleston head coach Pat Kelsey. “Not only [did he put] the ball in the basket. But he willed us to victory. His voice in the huddles. His leadership on the floor. And that is what veteran guys do.”

Meeks scored just eight points (2-for-9 from the field, 0-for-6 from deep) in the first meeting between these two teams on Jan. 27.

Just over a month later, Meeks came off the bench and improved upon his January performance — but only by one point (nine points, 3-for-7 from the field, 2-for-4 from deep).

Sunday night, it took Meeks 14 minutes to match the 17 points he scored in the first two meetings against the Pride this season.

“The ball was going in. It sounds as simple as that,” Meeks said. “[My rise in scoring] was a lot of preparation and a lot of watching film to see how they were guarding me and what they were doing. What I was able to come out and do, worked.”

Last year, Meeks averaged 25.3 points per game for the Bison. But he only played in six games — the senior forward battled injuries and COVID-19 most of the year.

As he has his entire career, Meeks fought for every inch, every shot, and every basket on Sunday. He picked up the scraps and clawed his way to victory.

“[Meeks] prides himself on being a competitive dog, which is a term of endearment in basketball and sports, and he was that for sure” Kelsey said.

A competitive dog is an understatement. Against Hofstra, he was a lion.

Meeks’ redemption tour has begun. He is perhaps the main reason why the Cougars are on the way to the semifinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament — and why the Pride is heading home early.

Photo courtesy of Rafael Suanes/CAA