Unhappy finish leaves Coppin State in a foul mood

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The Coppin State men's basketball team dropped a 71-69 decision to Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) men's basketball game at Burr Gym Saturday afternoon featuring a chaotic ending.
 
Officially, Howard broke a 69-69 tie when James Carlton made a pair of foul shots with .5 seconds remaining that provided the winning margin in a contest featuring 11 ties and nine lead changes.
 
The Eagles couldn't answer and left the nation's capitol in a foul mood with a 1-15 overall record and an 0-3 MEAC mark. The ending masked a solid show of heart, tenacity and grit by Coppin State, which overcame a nine-point second half deficit to lead three times in the final two minutes.
 
Coppin State had three players reach double figures led by Dallas Gary's 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field in 22 minutes. He tied his career-high scoring total. Taariq Cephas finished with 15 points and handed out five assists. Sterling Smith added 12 points for his ninth straight game reaching double figures. Smith was 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
 
Jahvari Josiah's nine points helped Coppin State win the battle of the benches, 25-14.
 
The Eagles defense forced 22 turnovers and harassed the Bison all over the floor. However, both teams combined to commit 55 fouls and shoot 71 free throws. Coppin State, which entered the game seventh in the nation in 3-pointers made per game, made four, a season-low.  
 
Coppin State played catch-up for most of the game after falling into an early 10-4 hole that eventually grew to 35-24 thanks to Howard's James Daniel, who scored 16 of his 19 points in the opening 20 minutes. After falling behind, 38-29 15 seconds into the second half, Coppin State sprinted on a 10-1 run to tie the game at 39 with 15:31 remaining.
 
Smith sank a pair of foul shots with 43 seconds remaining that gave Coppin State its final lead of the game, 69-67.
 
Daniel and Carlton led the Bison (8-9, 2-1) with 19 points each. Carlton also finished with a game-high 11 rebounds. James Miller added 10 points for Howard.
 
This game concluded an insane start of the Eagles season which saw them play 13 of their first 16 games on the road. Coppin State returns home to begin a two-game homestand when it welcomes Bethune-Cookman to the PEC Arena next Saturday for a 4:00 p.m. tipoff. Howard hosts Delaware State Monday night.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS
Military Appreciation Night: The Coppin State University basketball teams will celebrate the Armed Services on Saturday, January 17, 2015. All active and retired service members will receive free admission to the Bethune Cookman-Coppin State basketball games by showing proper identification at the Physical Education Center box office. This is Coppin State's way of encouraging U.S. citizens to observe the afternoon in a symbol of unity, to honor the current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including those who have died in the pursuit of freedom. Armed Forces members will be recognized during the games.

Teacher Appreciation Night: The Coppin State University basketball teams will celebrate the many educators on Monday, January 19, 2015. All teachers will receive free admission to the Florida A&M-Coppin State basketball games by showing proper identification at the Physical Education Center box office.