Coppin State gets to enjoy the comforts of home for once

Men's Basketball | 1/14/2015 3:32:00 PM

BALTIMORE – The Coppin State men's basketball team begins its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) homestand by welcoming the two Florida schools to the chilly Mid-Atlantic region. First up for the Eagles is a contest against Bethune-Cookman Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m.
 
RECENT HISTORY AGAINST BETHUNE-COOKMAN: The Eagles and Wildcats didn't meet during the 2013-14 regular season. However, they met in the first round of the MEAC tournament for the second consecutive year where Coppin State claimed a 75-68 victory over BCU. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 47-13. Both teams have split their last 10 meetings with each team alternating victories. During those last 10 meetings, four of the games have been decided in overtime with each team winning twice.
 
LAST TIME OUT FOR COPPIN STATE: Coppin State dropped a 71-69 decision to Howard University last Saturday. 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. 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. Josiah also grabbed a career-high seven rebounds. 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.  
 
ABOUT BETHUNE-COOKMAN: The Wildcats have lost six of their last seven games, including two in a row to Hampton and Norfolk State. In their latest loss to Norfolk State, a 79-55 decision on Monday night, Ricky Johnson scored a season-high 17 points. Quintin Brewer reached double figures for the third straight game with 13 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats, while Mikel Trapp added nine points. Trapp moved into sixth on the all-time 3-point field goal list with 154. The Wildcats top scorers are Brandon Stewart (13.8 points per game), Brewer (9.7), Trapp (9.3) and Johnson (8.3). BCU is third in the MEAC in scoring defense (63.6 ppg.).
 
HOME, SWEET HOME: This weekend's games against Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M will mark the first time this season that Coppin State will play consecutive home games. The Eagles will play six of their final eight games at home, including their longest homestand of four games from Feb. 2-14 (Morgan State, South Carolina State, Savannah State and Howard).
 
TRACKING TAARIQ: Taariq Cephas has 367 career assists, which is tied with Steve Miller for fourth all-time in Coppin State history. He also needs 33 steals to become the third player in school history to reach 400 assists for his career. Cephas is currently third in the MEAC in assists per game (4.2) and fourth in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.8). Cephas has handed out five or more assists in seven of his last eight games.
 
2015 MEAC TOURNAMENT: The 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) men's and women's basketball tournament is scheduled for March 9-14 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Va. Ticket books can be purchased at all 13 MEAC university ticket offices, the Norfolk Scope Arena, Ticketmaster outlets, the MEAC Administrative Office and online at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available by calling the MEAC at 757-951-2055 or Ticketmaster at (800)-745-3000. The annual MEAC Basketball Tournament moved to Norfolk after spending the previous four years in Winston-Salem, N.C. from 2009 through 2012.

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.