BALTIMORE – Coppin State has endured a trying run in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play over the past month but there's still plenty of time to turn things around.
"I think we're getting better each game," head coach
Derek Brown said last week. "The win/losses isn't showing that but I think there's improvement every game. We're going to hang in there. If we can win those close games and flip those around we'll be okay."
Coppin State showed just how tough and talented they are on Saturday night even though they dropped a 68-58 decision to South Carolina State.
The Eagles (3-17 overall, 2-7 MEAC) were a balanced threat with three players scoring in double figures.
Jordan Swails led the way with 17 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
Amber Griffin put up 12 points, tying her career high.
Bria Harris added 10 points and grabbed eight boards. The senior captain has led the team in scoring and rebounding nine times this season.
For the Eagles, a strong defense is often the way to a flourishing offense. Coppin State forced the Bulldogs to turn the ball over 13 times, resulting in 21 points for the home squad. They also outrebounded S.C. State, 41-31.
"We're going to keep on working," Brown said. "We're going to try to turn this thing around and win games in the second half. I don't see why we can't be successful in the conference tournament. The tournament is up for grabs."
Coppin State is looking to get lady luck on their side Monday night in the Physical Education Complex when it hosts MEAC foe Savannah State.
The Eagles have bested the Tigers in every meeting, going 3-0 since the two teams first crossed each other's paths in 2012. When Savannah State came to Baltimore last year,
Omaah Tayong put on a show with 10 points and a career-high 23 rebounds in her first collegiate start in Coppin State's 68-53 victory.
Savannah State spent Saturday afternoon with the Eagles' cross-town rival Morgan State, where it notched a 72-58 triumph. Kenyata Hendrix posted 20 points while Bria Dorsey added 19 points to the mix. Tiyonda Davis had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers (11-10, 6-3) three conference losses were by four or fewer points. Savannah State is the best scoring offense in the conference, averaging 63.3 points per game behind the fifth-best scorer in the league and MEAC preseason Player of the Year Ezinne Kalu. She averages 16.8 points per game.
Coppin State has top MEAC performers of its own. Swails averages 10.1 points per game and
Janelle Lane averages 9.6. Harris grabs 7.2 rebounds per game, which ranks seventh in league.
The Eagles conclude their home stand against Howard Saturday at 2 p.m.
