Quick start not enough for Coppin State in loss at EMU

YPSILANTI, Mich. – Junior guard Sterling Smith posted his third career double-double during Coppin State's 87-64 setback to Eastern Michigan at the Convocation Center Tuesday night in a non-conference men's basketball game.
 

Smith led three Eagle players in double figures with14 points and 11 rebounds. It was the 31st time in his career Smith has scored in double figures. Smith has been consistently strong over the Eagles last few games, reaching double digits in six of Coppin State's last seven games. In addition to leading Coppin State in rebounding for the fourth time this season, he also made at least two 3-pointers for the fifth straight game.
 
Sophomore Christian Kessee and senior Arnold Fripp had 13 points each for Coppin State, which outrebounded the taller Eagles, 48-47.
 
Reaching double figures in scoring for the 18th time as an Eagle, Fripp was responsible for getting the Eagles off to a roaring start. He dunked for the first points of the game and overall had eight points to spark Coppin State to an early 18-11 advantage with 11 minutes, 20 seconds remaining in the first half.
 
Senior guard Taariq Cephas recorded season highs in assists (six) and steals (five). Freshman Blake Simpson had a career-best four blocked shots in 13 minutes. Coppin State made nine 3-pointers for the second consecutive game. It was the eighth time this season the Eagles have made at least nine 3-pointers in a game this season.  
 
Coppin State (1-11 overall) put together a strong 26 minutes and was competitive throughout the contest against Eastern Michigan (10-2). For most of the game, the Eagles ball movement against EMU's zone defense was solid. They made the extra pass that resulted in open shots or high quality looks. Coppin State's defense forced some havoc and made EMU uncomfortable during moments of the game.
 
Unfortunately for the Eagles, a pair of scoreless droughts lasting nine minutes in the first half and six minutes in the second half were major factors in why Coppin State couldn't sustain a hot start. While the Eagles failed to score on 10 straight possessions, Eastern Michigan used a 19-0 run to reverse a seven-point deficit to take control in the first half.
 
Then early in the second half after the Eagles sliced their 34-24 halftime deficit to 36-30 following a pair of Smith baskets and a Fripp jumper, Eastern Michigan used a 19-5 burst to open a 55-35 lead with 10:40 remaining.
 
Sparked by a pair of 3-pointers from Daquan Brickhouse, who finished with eight points, and another from Shomari Triggs, Coppin State clawed to within, 58-48, with 6:35 left.
 
Coppin State will conclude this four-game road trip by visiting Evansville Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. Members of the Ohio Valley Conference, Evansville is off to a 9-2 start. The Eagles will play their final three non-conference contests of the season next week.