BALTIMORE – Coppin State's women's basketball team nearly overcame a 21-point third quarter deficit, falling just short against South Carolina State, 63-61, on Saturday afternoon at PEC Arena. The Eagles now stand at 4-16 overall and 1-4 in the MEAC while the Bulldogs move to 2-19 on the year and 1-5 in league play.
Inside the Numbers
- Jewel Watkins finished a rebound shy of a double-double, recording 25 points on 7-of-15 with five 3-pointers and 6-of-10 fee throws. She added nine rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals.
- Mossi Staples was the only other CSU player in double figures, finishing with 17 points, two assists and two steals.
- Reserve guards Cortney Gardner and Lucia Reos added five points and two steals apiece while Gardner led the Eagles with four assists. Colleen Bucknor also grabbed seven rebounds and was credited with two steals.
- South Carolina State got 26 points from Nicole Gwynn and 12 from Lovely Sonnier while Janiah Hinton tallied nine points, eight assists and five rebounds.
- The Bulldogs shot 48.2% from the floor compared to 35.8% for Coppin who hit nine 3-pointers and 14-of-22 from the stripe. Eighteen of SC State's buckets were assisted.
- Coppin's 27 points in a furious rally attempt was its second-most points in any period this season (28 at William & Mary).
How it Happened
- South Carolina State shot the lights out in the first period, going on an 8-0 run to open the quarter and a 14-2 run to finish. The Bulldogs made 52.6% of their shots with four 3-pointers in the opening ten minutes compared to just 12.5% for CSU.
- The Bulldogs continued to shoot well in the second, but Coppin hung in there thanks to three 3-pointers (two from Staples and another from Watkins.
- Gwynn hit a three just before the half to give South Carolina State a 42-23 halftime lead and the Bulldogs led by as many as 47-26 with 5:02 left in the third.
- Watkins and Staples scored four points each in the final five minutes of the third to make it a 52-34 deficit going into the fourth.
- The Eagles employed a much different lineup going into the fourth and the adjustment paid off as Watkins and Reos hit back-to-back threes to start the final quarter.
- Following a Bulldogs bucket, Gardner hit a three, followed by a triple from Watkins to pull within 56-46 at the 6:29 mark.
- Watkins answered a layup with one of her own which opened a 13-2 run to get Coppin within 60-59 with 1:52 remaining following another three by the sophomore sensation.
- South Carolina State got a much-needed basket with just over a minute to play which was answered by Staples.
- Coppin forced a turnover and had a chance to take its first lead but came up short with six seconds left.
- South Carolina State hit 1-of-2 free throws and Coppin's attempt to tie was also off the mark.
Up Next: Coppin hosts Delaware State in another MEAC matchup on Monday, February 6 at 6:00 pm.
