ATHENS, Ohio – Coppin State played perhaps its best game of the season falling in overtime at Central Connecticut State last week while shooting nearly 50 percent from the field. Friday night, however, the Eagles struggled to find its shooting stroke and dropped an 80-37 decision on the road at Ohio University, one of the top teams in the Mid-American Conference.
Ohio held Coppin to a season-low point total and 21.3 shooting percentage while doubling that percentage on its offensive end to seal the win. The key stretch for the Bobcats was a 16-5 run midway through the first period to extend a single-digit lead to a 20 point advantage with 9:56 left in the first half.
The Bobcats led at the half 45-17 and the margin of victory matched their largest lead of the night.
Adam Traore led the Eagles with eight points and nine rebounds while
Karonn Davis also added eight points. Senior
Blake Simpson made his season debut in his home state and contributed with six points on 3-of-4 shooting along with four rebounds and a block.
Cedric Council also held his own as a rim protector, swatting away five Bobcats shot attempts. Council's five blocks were the most for an Eagle in nearly four years when Brandon St. Louis blocked five shots against UMBC on December 11, 2013.
Coppin's seven blocked shots and 37 rebounds on the night were both season-highs.
Mike Laster led all scorers with 18 points while Kevin Mickle and James Gollon also reached double figures for the Bobcats who improved to 4-3 on the year.
The Eagles will play on the national stage when they take on Patrick Ewing and the Georgetown Hoyas on Sunday, December 3 at 6:30 pm. The second game of the BB&T Classic will be televised on FS1 and can also be heard on WNST and Fox Sports Williamsport, the home of the Coppin State basketball.
