NEWARK, N.J. – Laila Lawrence hit a game-winning layup as time expired, lifting the Coppin State women's basketball team to a 63-61 win at NJIT on Tuesday night at the Wellness & Events Center. The Eagles improved to 5-4 on the season while the Highlanders fell to 2-8.
Checking the Box Score
- Lawrence notched her fourth-straight double-double and sixth of the season, finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds to go with two assists, four blocks and three steals.
- Angel Jones led all scorers with 23 points in a great all-around game. Hitting 10-of-17 from the floor, Jones also had seven rebounds, five assists and three steals.
- Tiffany Hammond also finished in double figures, recording ten points with a pair of threes.
- Niyah Gaston also hit two 3-pointers for six points and Tyler Gray added four. Also chipping in was Dani McTeer with six rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
- NJIT narrowly outshot Coppin, 44.3% to 42.4% but the Eagles hit two more triples and made 8-of-13 free throws compared to just 4-of-8 for the Highlanders.
How it Happened
- NJIT tied the score at 61 with 1.6 seconds left in regulation, prompting head coach Jermaine Woods to call a timeout.
- The Eagles elected to advance the ball past midcourt and Tyler Gray inbounded a pass to Lawrence, just outside the block. After one dribble, she laid one off the glass for the game-winner.
- Coppin led by as many as 52-45 in the fourth on a layup by Jones with 8:07 remaining, which caused NJIT to call a timeout.
- After a pair of NJIT baskets, Lawrence converted on a layup and added a free throw on the ensuing possession to extend the lead back to six.
- The Highlanders hit a three, cutting the deficit in half with just under five minutes remaining.
- With 1:10 left in the game, Jones put Coppin back on top, 60-55 with an And-1 before NJIT went on a 6-1 run.
- NJIT held the lead just once in the game, coming at the 2:00 mark of the first quarter at 11-10, but that was short-lived when Gaston hit a three.
- Coppin led 32-27 at the half and held its largest lead at 48-36 with 2:40 remaining in the third before NJIT closed the period with five unanswered points.
Up Next: The Eagles host the Big 12's Arizona State on December 5 at 7:00 pm which will air on ESPN+ and BaltimorePositive.com.
