DOVER, Del. – For the first time this season, four Coppin State women's basketball players scored double figures in an 80-62 triumph over Delaware State Monday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest at the Memorial Gym.
"It's a road win," head coach
Derek Brown said. "That's what's important about this game. I don't care what their record was. When you come into someone else's house it's tough to play. Once they saw that they were in the game they buckled down and just played. I'm happy for them."
Redshirt freshman
Genesis Lucas led the way with a career-high 22 points. She also had a game-high six assists, which included a sweet behind the back pass to
Jordan Swails for a layup worthy of SportsCenter.
"Genesis' court vision is spectacular," lone senior
Bria Harris said. "She has been growing, maturing and just evolving into our primary point guard as a redshirt freshman. She's going to do damage when she's an upperclassman and senior."
It was Lucas' eighth time in the past nine games with 10 or more points. Lucas is averaging 17.7 points through the last three games.
"I'm comfortable now," Lucas said. "I love the chemistry that we have. I could look at a teammate and know what they're about to do or they can look at me and know I'm about to pass to them. We have really good chemistry now."
Harris posted her second double-double of the season with 15 points and career-best tying 12 boards. She was given the hefty responsibility of guarding DSU's leading scorer, Tierra Hawkins. Harris held the MEAC's third-best scorer to a single point in the second half.
"My job with Teirra was to prevent her from getting the ball," Harris said. "She could be up for Player of the Year and that's kind of intimidating. I had to get the job done, to prevent her from getting the ball and prevent her from scoring as much as she usually does. I think I did a good job playing her."
Swails recorded her second straight double-double performance (19 points and 10 rebounds). Through the last two games, she averaged 21.5 points and 11.5 rebounds.
Amber Griffin tied her career-high 12 points and seven rebounds. She shot 60 percent from the floor (6-for-10).
The Eagles (5-18 overall, 4-8 MEAC) fell behind, 38-32, late in the first half but scored the last seven baskets to head into intermission with a 39-38 lead. The second half was an all-out battle before Coppin State took a 51-53 lead with 12 minutes remaining and never looked back.
Hawkins led the Hornets with 15 points and six rebounds. Mikah Aldridge and Amber Bogard added 14 points apiece.
The afternoon's match-up featured 12 ties and 15 lead changes. Coppin State had 27 points off of DSU's 21 turnovers. The Eagles outrebounded their opponent, 46-28, and scored 60 percent of their points in the paint (48). Coppin State shot 46.8 percent from the floor.
"This win is important to us because it begins our winning streak heading towards the MEAC tournament," Harris said. "We're going to let everyone know we're ready and we're coming for anyone that's coming our way."
Coppin State will need to all of its confidence for Saturday's rematch with Norfolk State at 2 p.m. in the Physical Education Complex.
"As long as we play together that's all that matters," Harris said. "As long as we have a balance on offense and defense that's all we need. We need 100 percent game. 100 percent passion. 100 percent to win."
