NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Coppin State University's women's basketball team dropped a 72-59 decision at Stephen F. Austin on Tuesday night at WRJ Coliseum. The Eagles now stand at 0-2 on the year while the Lady Jacks improve to 1-1.
Genesis Lucas tied for a game-high 18 points along with six rebounds and six assists to lead Coppin State while classmate
Candice Beverly tallied a career-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting as both seniors played all 40 minutes.
In just her second career game,
Maraiyah Smith saw a lot of action and did not disappoint, scoring 15 points off the bench while burying three shots from downtown. The freshman from Owings Mills also swiped a team-high two steals in 30 minutes of action after playing just one minute at Baylor two days prior.
Coppin narrowly outshot SFA, 42.9% to 42.1% but turned the ball over 28 times, leading to 21 Lady Jack points. SFA also made 20-of-32 shots from the line compared to just 8-of-13 for the Eagles.
The Navy & Gold led 15-13 after the first quarter despite their post players getting in early foul trouble as Beverly recorded six points in the period. Beverly also scored Coppin's first four points of the second and following a Jacks free throw, Smith buried a trifecta to give the Eagles their largest lead at 22-16 with 6:12 left in the half.
Stephen F. Austin responded with a three of its own and regained the lead with 2:34 left and took a 27-24 into the break.
The teams traded leads early in the third but the Jacks were able to extend the lead to as many as seven and outscored Coppin 22-14 in the fourth to seal the win.
Chance Graham had an impressive second half for the Eagles after playing just three minutes in the first half thanks to foul trouble. A sophomore from Upper Marlboro, Graham finished with seven points and 11 rebounds with all but one rebound coming in the final 20 minutes.
Stevi Parker and Channell Hayes scored 18 points each to lead SFA.
The Eagles will host Mount St. Mary's on Saturday, November 18 in a 2 pm start. All Eagles home basketball games will be broadcast live on WNST 1570 AM and Fox Sports Williamsport.
