BLACKSBURG, Va. – Coppin State fell to No. 24 Virginia Tech Wednesday night inside Cassell Coliseum 85-35.
Coppin moves to 2-2 on the season while the Hokies improved to 4-0 and lead the all-time series 2-0.
Mossi Staples led the Eagles in points (9) and steals (2). Staples also led the Eagles in three-point field goal made, as she hit two three's for the night. She was the second leader in rebounds with four boards, as
Jaia Alexander and
Jalynda Salley both led the team in rebounds, recording five each. Alexander was the second leading scorer for Coppin, with eight points, and the only player with a block. Salley finished the night with six points, and went 2-2 from the free-throw line. As a team, Coppin outnumbered Virginia Tech in steals, and forced 12 turnovers from the Hokies. The Eagles defense kept Virginia Tech's leading scorer Elizabeth Kitley eight points below her scoring average.
Alexander got the Eagles going early in the first quarter with her physicality, as she started the game off with two made free throws, and hit a jumper a few possessions later. Alexander scored the first six points for the Eagles, which was followed by a put-back layup from
Colleen Bucknor.
Staples sparked offensive momentum for the Eagles in the second half with a pullup jumper.
Jewel Watkins and Salley played off of each other in the second half as Watkins scored an and one layup. Shortly after, she snatched a steal, which led to a layup by Salley. In the following Eagle possession, Salley scored a hook shot off of an assist from Watkins. Staples took control of the fourth quarter, as she hit a pair of back-to-back threes.
As for the Hokies, four players scored in double digits, as Aisha Sheppard led all players with 17 points. Elizabeth Kitley led all players with 13 rebounds, while Georgia Amoore led all players in assists, recording eight for the night.
The Eagles are on the road taking on East Carolina, Tuesday November 23 in Greenville. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
