BALTIMORE, Md. – Chance Graham's 11th double-double (13 points, 22 rebounds) and
Brooke Fields' 25 points fronted the charge for the Coppin State Lady Eagles as it coasted to victory in front of the home crowd, 73-53 over the Florida A&M Rattlers on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
- Final Score: Coppin State 73, Florida A&M 53
- Records: Coppin State (2-17, 2-5 MEAC) / Florida A&M (3-15, 1-5 MEAC)
- Location: Baltimore, MD – Physical Education Complex Arena
- Series History: Florida A&M Leads 23-22
How It Happened
First Quarter
- The Rattlers and Eagles played to a 4-4 tie through the first three minutes in what looked to be a tightly contested matchup.
- Coppin State would ignite for 11 unanswered points, including four straight free throws from Mariyah Smith, to close out the first quarter as it shut down A&M to take a 15-4 upper-hand.
Second Quarter
- FAMU was able to connect on its first bucket in nearly nine minutes when Jasmine Ballew banked in a layup with 8:45 left in the quarter to cut the Coppin lead to 18-6.
- The CSU advantage stayed put at 12 (22-10) before the Lady Eagles went on a back-breaking 19-2 barrage to blow the lid off the contest, which saw 17 unanswered Coppin State points to take a commanding 29-point lead into the locker rooms, 41-12 CSU.
- Six different Lady Eagles contributed to the run as Tsahai Corbie (6) and Brooke Fields (5) led the charge, followed by Chance Graham (3), E'Mya Price (2), Maraiyah Smith (2), and Kaiya Coleman (1)
Third Quarter
- The Rattlers would not roll over and quit, as they started the second half fighting its way to a 9-4 advantage to begin, 45-21 Coppin.
- Coppin and Florida A&M played to a draw over the remaining length of the third, with both sides conjuring up eight more points to head to the fourth with the home Eagles still sitting pretty at a 24-point edge, 53-29, CSU.
Fourth Quarter
- FAMU continued to show grit and heart as despite the stacked odds, the Rattlers strung together seven consecutive points to start the final frame, 53-36 Coppin State.
- An off-balance jumper by Corbie would get the Lady Eagles on the board before Florida A&M continued its unexpected surge to within 12 at 55-43 CSU.
- Burroughs' side put any thoughts of a comeback to rest with a 10-2 rally to widen the margin back up to 20, 65-45 Coppin.
- Each squad would trade baskets over the final 2:35 as Coppin State would roll to its second MEAC win of the season, and first home victory in 2018-19, 73-53.
Inside the Numbers
- With 22 more rebounds, Chance Graham has now jumped into fourth place on Coppin's all-time career rebounding leader board, passing Yvette Larkins (757) with a current total of 777. Graham's next milestone of third is 49 boards away, held by Larrisa Carter at 826.
- Not only did Graham further climb the rebounding ladder, but she has broken into another Coppin record book. After accumulating 13 points, the All-MEAC forward moved into the top-20 among Coppin State's career scoring leaders, eclipsing Leisel Harry (890) and Rene' Doctor (895) for 19th in program history.
- Graham was not done adding to her personal accolades, tying her career-high for single-game blocks after swatting four Rattlers shot attempts.
- Brooke Fields refuses to slow down anytime soon, notching double-figure points for the 13th straight contest and falling just shy of her season-high mark after picking up 25 points on the afternoon (high is 26 twice).
- Maraiyah Smith put together her fifth double-digit scoring performance of the season, dropping 10 points, blowing her career-high out of the water with five steals, tying a season-best with four assists, and grabbing four boards.
- Oluwadamilola Oloyede tied her career-high for blocks as well, sending two shots flying while picking up a season-high six rebounds as well as five points.
- E'Mya Price continued the run of CSU players tying season-highs, swiping four steals.
- 6-3 center Jalynda Salley was borderline unstoppable on the offensive glass, brining down eight offensive rebounds (15 total the last two games) and 11 rebounds on the day. It was her fourth contest with 10 or more rebounds and second consecutive game in which she accomplished the feat.
- Candice Williams and Jasmine Ballew were the top scorers for Florida A&M with 17 and 10 respectively while 12 different Rattlers had at least one rebound.
Who's Next?
- Burroughs' squad plays host to Bethune-Cookman on Monday night at 5:30 p.m as it attempts to start a winning streak.
