BALTIMORE, Md. – Six Eagles netted double figure scoring in a 76-72 victory on Homecoming for Coppin State over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday, February 11, 2017 inside the Physical Education Complex. Freshman
Dejuan Clayton scored 15 points and had a team-high four assists.
Coppin State improves to 6-20 overall record and 5-6 in the MEAC. The Eagles sweep the season series against the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman falls to 5-19 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
The Eagles scoring was spread out and a chunk came from the charity stripe. Coppin State recorded a season-best percentage from the free-throw line shooting 91% on 20-of-22 made attempts. Clayton paced the CSU scoring with 15 points hitting 5-of-6 free-throws and 2-of-4 three-pointers. Senior
Terry Harris Jr. followed with 14 points knocking down a perfect 7-of-7 free-throws. Junior
Tre' Thomas added 13 points on 3-of-6 made three-pointers and a season-high five rebounds. Senior
Keith Shivers also scored 13 points converting on a team-high six field goals. Senior
Joshua Treadwell was the leading bench scorer with 11 points and two steals. Junior
Chas Brown finished with ten point and six rebounds.
Harris Jr. scored 11 first half points pacing the Eagles scoring. He was a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line as Coppin State made 92-percent of their attempts from the charity stipe (12-13). Bethune-Cookman also shot a high percentage from the free-throw line in the opening half sinking 11-of-12 attempts. Coppin State had the largest lead of seven with 4:16 to go in the half on a three-pointer by Thomas. The Eagles led 35-31 with two minutes to go before the Wildcats closed the half on a 7-0 run. Bethune-Cookman's quick shooting propelled them into the lead 38-35 at the half.
Coppin State trailed the Wildcats by 11 (46-35) within the first two minutes of the second half. Things changed when shots from downtown started to go in by the Eagles capping a run of their own. Clayton's second three-pointer of the afternoon ignited the CSU rally at the 16:14 mark. Thomas and Brown followed with key baskets as the Eagles trimmed the deficit. After Thomas' three-pointer cut the Wildcats advantage to 55-53 with 13:22, a thunderous dunk by Shivers lifted Coppin State into the lead 58-57.
Over the next five minutes Coppin State held a slight lead over Bethune-Cookman with the scoring tying up three times over the stretch. With three minutes left in regulation the Wildcats took a 70-68 lead after an Eagles turnover. On the next possession Clayton tied the game for the eighth time hitting a pair of free-throws and then he dished it off to Shivers as CSU went back ahead 72-70 with 2:20 left on the clock.
Shivers was key late for the Eagles by attacking the paint. His layup with 1:23 left gave CSU a slight cushion 74-72. Bethune-Cookman's attempt at tying the game came up short and then Thomas sealed the Eagles' Homecoming victory with a pair from the charity stripe with 2-seconds left on the clock extending the advantage to 76-72. Thomas scored ten second half points, Clayton had nine points and Treadwell added six points. Coppin State's field goal percentage increased from 35-percent in the first half to 50-percent in the second and the Eagles also outscored the Wildcats 41-34 in the half.
Bethune-Cookman was led by Diamante Lewis' 18 points and six rebounds. Quinton Forrest chipped in 16 points and Brandon Tabb had 12 points.
Coppin State rounds out their previous three game home slate on Monday, February 13th at 7:30 p.m. against the Hornets of Delaware State University. The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Hornets 45-24 after the teams split last year's meeting with Coppin State winning on the road 72-62 (Mar. 3, 2016) and Delaware State winning on the road 71-67 (Feb. 15, 2016).
