BALTIMORE – Led by
Sam Sessoms' 26 points, four Eagles scored in double figures as the Coppin State men's basketball team defeated South Carolina State, 85-73, its MEAC opener on Saturday afternoon at PEC Arena. With the win, CSU improves to 6-12 on the year while the Bulldogs fall to 3-14.
Inside the Numbers
- Sessoms hit 9-of-16 from the floor with a pair of threes and 6-of-9 from the free throw line to hit at least 20 points for the 12th time this season. Sessoms was credited with four rebounds and four assists while tallying seven steals and two blocks, both of which were career-highs.
- Twenty of Sessoms' points came in the second half on 7-of-11 shooting, along with six of his steals. He now has 2,111 points, 481 assists and 42 games with 20+ points in his career.
- Mike Hood and Nendah Tarke both had 14 points, recording seven and six rebounds, respectively, while Justin Steers added 13 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and two blocks. Hood matched Sessoms with four assists and Steers made all nine of his free throws.
- Greg Spurlock, Kam'Ron Blue and Malik Battle all had six points. Tarke, Spurlock and Blue all had a pair of steals.
- Coppin shot 50.0% from the floor, 11-of-23 (47.8%) from three-point range and 20-of-27 (74.1%) from the line. In comparison, South Carolina State hit just 36.1% from the field with three 3-pointers but recorded 21 offensive rebounds, holding a 48-34 advantage on the boards.
- Lesown Hallums led the Bulldogs with 17 points and three other Bulldogs reached double figures.
- Coppin had 15 steals for the game, matching the most for the Eagles since Juan Dixon started as head coach in the 2017-18 season.
How it Happened
- The teams battled for position throughout the first half before South Carolina State went on an 8-0 run to take a 21-14 lead at the 8:39 mark following a dunk by Justin Wilson.
- Tarke and Hood answered with a pair of threes, and after a pair of free throws by Steers, Sessoms drove in for a layup, putting Coppin back on top, 24-23 at the 3:35 mark.
- After a three by the Bulldogs, Battle hit a three and converted on an old-fashioned three-point play.
- Steers and Sessoms both hit free throws down the stretch and Sessoms beat the first half buzzer with a layup, giving CSU a 36-33 halftime lead.
- Sessoms opened the second with a pair of free throws before Blue hit a pair of threes in the next two minutes as Coppin maintained a small lead.
- Following a layup by the visitors, Coppin put some room between its opponent with a 10-0 run while holding the Bulldogs without a field goal for nearly five minutes.
- South Carolina State pulled to within 72-65 with 4:42 left before Sessoms scored seven-straight points over the next 1:37.
Up Next: Coppin hosts North Carolina Central on Monday, January 9 at PEC Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 pm or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game which tips off at 5:30 pm.
