BALTIMORE, Md. – Chance Graham had a monster game with a double-double 15 points and 19 rebounds to lead the Coppin State women's basketball team to a 66-57 win over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Savannah State on Saturday afternoon at PEC Arena. The Eagles now stand at 2-12 overall and even their MEAC record at 1-1 while the Tigers, who opened conference play today, fall to 2-10 on the year.
A sophomore from Upper Marlboro, Graham was one of four Coppin players to finish in double figures and eight of her career-high 19 rebounds were on the offensive end.
Genesis Lucas led the team with 17 points and also finished with nine assists, five rebounds and six steals. Lucas was honored prior to the game for recording her 1,000
th career point earlier this season at Middle Tennessee on December 5.
Candice Beverly also had an outstanding all-around game, matching her career-high with 14 points to go with seven rebounds and six assists.
Maraiyah Smith also added 11 points while
Mia Crooms chipped in with seven points off the bench.
Aside from the teams trading a pair of baskets early in the game, the Eagles led from nearly start to finish. Lucas and Beverly combined for 13 of the team's 15 points in the first period to give Coppin a 15-8 lead after ten minutes of play.
The second quarter was a high scoring affair as the teams combined for 43 points. Led by seven points apiece by Graham and Smith in the period, the Eagles had a key 12-1 run which extend their lead to 16 points with 4:21 left in the half.
Coppin maintained its lead throughout the third quarter but Savannah State clawed its way back into the game in the fourth as Kaylee Allen tallied eight points in the final period. After Beverly opened the final period with a jumper with 9:21 left in regulation to extend the Eagles lead back to 16, the Tigers scored ten-straight points to pull within six points with 4:35 left.
A free throw and a layup by Graham with 3:26 left gave Coppin a nine point advantage and Savannah would get no closer than seven points the rest o0f the way.
Both teams shot an identical 36.4% from the floor but the Eagles had a huge advantage on the glass, turning 23 offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. Coppin outrebounded Savannah, 47-35 on the night and 18 of its 24 field goals were assisted.
Allen led the Tigers with 18 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The Eagles return to action on Monday, January 8 when it hosts Florida A&M in MEAC action at 5:30 pm.
