DURHAM, N.C. – Sydney Burris posted a career-high 23 points to go with 12 rebounds and four blocks, leading the Coppin State women's basketball team to its fifth-straight win in a 75-68 victory at North Carolina Central on Saturday afternoon at McDougald-McClendon Arena. CSU improved to 9-18 overall and 6-4 in the MEAC while NC Central fell to 7-16 on the year and 3-6 in league play.
A senior from Milwaukee, Wisc., Burris hit 7-of-8 from the floor along with a three to go with 8-of-9 from the line to record her first game of at least 20 points. Burris, who leads the MEAC in offensive rebounding, grabbed six on the offensive end in her fourth double-double of the season.
Khila Morris and
Skylar Barnes also reached double figures with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Morris added four rebounds and matched
Paris McBride with five assists while Barnes buried three 3-pointers. McBride followed with eight points while
Erin Henry and
Patricia Sosa Lora recorded six points apiece.
CSU shot 40.3% from the floor and made 16-of-19 free throws while holding Central to just 35.9% shooting from the floor. Coppin held a 46-34 advantage on the glass, contributing to 16 second chance points and forced 16 turnovers which turned into 19 points.
NC Central's lone lead came in the opening minutes as Burris opened the game with a layup which was followed by a Central 3-pointer just 16 seconds later. Coppin answered with eight-straight points, including five-straight points from Morris and led 17-10 after the first following a three by Barnes.
The seven-point margin remained intact going into the half and CSU looked to pull away in the third, extending its lead to as many as 58-41 with just over a minute left. However, NC Central did not go away, closing the period with back-to-back threes.
Barnes buried a three to start the fourth, and Morris converted on a transition basket after three misses by Central. Barnes added another basket with 7:12 remaining, giving Coppin its largest lead of the game at 65-47 and the hosts did not get any closer than the final margin.
Coppin returns to action for Homecoming on Saturday, February 21 when it hosts Maryland Eastern Shore in a pivotal 2 pm matchup on ESPN+.
