ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Mossi Staples scored a career-high 24 points to lead the Coppin State Women's basketball team to an 84-55 victory at South Carolina State on Saturday afternoon in the Smith-Hammond-Middle Arena.
Staples led four Eagles in double figures as she shot 7-of-12 from the field, including a pair of three and eight free throws. She also had a game-high five steals and four assists. Aliyah Lawson grabbed a double-double with 12 points and ten boards, while shooting 4-of-5 from beyond the arch. Jaia Alexander was the second leading scorer with 14 points, seven rebounds, and went 6-of-7 from the stripe.
Alexandria Hamilton had a season-high 12 points and went 5-of-9 from the floor. Jewel Watkins contributed nine points, four rebounds with four field goals made. Jalynda Salley was back in action and tallied eight points on 4-of-9 from the field.
The Eagles set the tone for the game from the first quarter with an early 11-0 run. Alexander hit a pair of jumpers to foster a double-digit lead, which was maintained throughout the entire game. Hamilton grabbed a pair of layups before SC State went scoreless for the last three minutes of the quarter.
Coppin was efficient from beyond the arch in the second quarter. Lawson hit a quick three to give Coppin a 20-point lead at 30-10. Staples scored on a layup to maintain a 20-point lead and sunk a three on the very next possession. Lawson maintained a hot shooting hand and hit another three to close out the half with a 46-29 lead.
Coppin came out of the locker room on a 9-0 run, generated by a nice drop step lay-in by Salley off Lawson's steal. Staples also snatched a steal and scored on the following possession. Alexander hopped in on the 9-0 run with an and-one layup, followed by a bucket from Hamilton. Watkins concluded the quarter with an and one layup.
The Eagles kept their foot on the pedal in the fourth quarter. Staples and Hamilton embarked on a 10-0 to turn a 20-point lead into a 30-point lead. Bucknor brought out the largest lead of the game with a layup to place Coppin up by a whopping 38 points at 83-45. Coppin prevented any chances of a Bulldog's comeback to secure the win.
The Eagles will be seeing South Carolina State again at home on February 12 for Homecoming. Tipoff will begin at 2 pm at the PEC Arena and can be seen on NXT LVL or heard on WNST 1570 AM.
