Tenacious Defense Propels Lady Eagles Over Norfolk State

NORFOLK- Four Lady Eagles scored in double figures in the Coppin State's 78-54 victory over Norfolk State in the first round of the 2016 MEAC Women's Basketball Championship Tournament on Wednesday March 7 in Scope Arena in Norfolk, VA.
 
Coppin State has now won a MEAC Tournament game in sixth consecutive seasons.
 
The win was the seventh in a row for the Lady Eagles.
 
Head Coach Derek Brown was proud of how his team preformed and battle through a second half surge by Norfolk State.
 
"We played a pretty consistent game today. Of course they made a couple of little runs, but we hung in there. We've talking about this game for quite some time now." Head Coach Derek Brown
 
Senior Amber Griffin lead the Lady Eagles with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting, a team best five rebounds, two steals and a assist in 33 minutes of action.
 
"Defensive is pivotal for us," said Griffin, a native of Locust Grove, GA. "I tell my team that defense is essential, just focus on getting stops and steals, the offense is going to come."
 
The Lady Eagles defense held the Lady Spartans to a season low four points in the fourth quarter.
 
Genesis Lucas finished with 15 points on 7-of-12 accuracy from the field, three assists, three rebounds and compiled a team best four steals in 39 minutes.
 
Keena Samuels added 13 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor, a team best four assists, four rebounds and three steals in 36 minutes on the court.
 
Senior Tanaysa Henderson scored 11 points, three rebounds and two steals in 19 minutes off the bench for the Eagles.
 
Senior Jordan Swails also came off the bench to chip in nine points, three assists, two rebounds and one steal for Coppin State.
 
"I have five seniors, I made an adjustment to personal, and I have some speed out front and that made a difference," Brown said. "We really opened a lead up when we went small. Quickness pays off a lot, you don't have to always go big."
 
Janelle Lane tallied seven points and four rebounds for Coppin State.
 
The Lady Eagles shot 58.5% (31-for-53) from the floor and outrebounded Norfolk State 36-26.
 
Coppin State won the battle of the paint outscoring the Lady Spartans 32-16.
 
Coppin State tallied 14 steals and scored 20 points on 18 Norfolk State turnovers.
 
"Norfolk is the kind of team that doesn't give up, they're going to keep pushing," Griffin said. "They keep you on your toes."
 
Kiara Phillips led Norfolk State with 15 points and four rebounds. Koryn Lawrence added 10 points and five assists for the Lady Spartans.
 
Norfolk State shot 34.5% (20-for-58) from the field.
 
Norfolk State Head Coach Larry Vickers had high praise for the Lady Eagles after the game.
 
"We drew the toughest team," Vickers said. "I would not be surprised to see Coppin State cut down the nets. I knew who I didn't want to see and obviously we saw them."
 
The Lady Eagles Head Coach Derek Brown echoed Vickers sentiments.
 
"It's really wide open this year, there's no one dominant team," Brown said. Anything could happen this year, I think this is going to be a very exciting tournament."
 
Coppin State will return to action Thursday, March 10 in Scope Arena to face the winner between Morgan State and North Carolina Central.