BALTIMORE – Coppin State (0-4) dropped a 75-58 decision in its home opener against Robert Morris Tuesday afternoon in the Physical Education Complex.
Junior
Janelle Lane was one-point shy of her career-best with 18 points. This is Lane's third game this season and 10th career game scoring in double figures. She shot 77.8 percent from the field and was 4-for-6 at the line.
Although she shot well, Lane wants her personal success to translate into team victory.
"The game was about execution and we weren't doing that," Lane said. "It was a shooting game. They executed and out worked us. We're a smaller team and we're young. We have to learn."
Jordan Swails tallied 11 points and five rebounds.
Bria Harris had a team-high 12 rebounds and eight points. Guards
Amber Griffin and
Keena Samuels chipped in six points each.
Head coach
Derek Brown is well aware of Coppin State's tough non-conference schedule but sometimes the battle is more mental than physical.
"We have to grow mentally," Brown said. "We're a pretty youthful team and we have to get a little tougher mentally. We stayed right with them but when it was time to pick it up we couldn't. They have to be able to do some different things on the floor on their own. We were at a point where we would push up on a player but we weren't trying hard enough to get the job done."
Coppin State and Robert Morris were evenly matched down low, with each squad scoring 26 points in the paint. However, the Colonials outside shooters were a challenge for the Eagles guards.
Anna Niki Stamolamprou led Robert Morris with 22 points. Jolie Olingende and Ashley Ravelli scored 12 points each.
Coach Brown has provided the blueprint for how he wants his team to run but he hopes his players will stop over thinking and take more initiative to just play the game.
"We have to get smarter defensively and offensively," Brown said. "They have to go out there and do some things on their own. I put them in a shell of an offense but they are free and at liberty to break off from that and do something positive. Go ahead and do it. Right now we're worried about making mistakes instead of just playing freely."
Coppin State prepares to face Division II Virginia Union Saturday at 3 p.m. in the Physical Education Complex.
"If we do well in practice, what happens there will follow up for the game," Lane said. "We have to be more aggressive and attack each other in practice so we'll know what to expect in the game. They won't be any different than Robert Morris."
