WASHINGTON, D.C. – Coppin State's women's basketball team jumped out an early lead but was unable to hang on in an 75-67 loss at league-leading Howard on Thursday night at Burr Gymnasium. The Eagles fell to 9-20 overall and 6-6 in the MEAC while the Bison improved to 21-7 on the year and 11-1 in league play.
Khila Morris led CSU with 17 points, followed by
Paris McBride with 13 while
Skylar Barnes,
Sydney Burris and
Shanaii Gamble added nine points apiece. Burris finished a point shy of a double-double as she grabbed ten rebounds as McBride dished out a game-high six assists to go with five steals. Gamble finished with four steals as well.
Despite shooting just 4-of-14 (28.6%) from the floor in the first quarter, the Eagles hit all seven of their free throws in the period to hold a 16-9 lead after the first.
Erin Henry started the second quarter with a layup to extend the lead to nine points, which was matched two more times as the rivals traded a pair of baskets apiece.
Over the final five minutes of the quarter, Howard outscored Coppin, 16-2 to take a 29-24 lead at the half. McBride opened the third quarter with a three to pull the Eagles back within a field goal, but the Bison scored ten of the next ten of the next 12 points to extend their lead into double digits.
The Eagles got as close as 52-47 with 32 seconds remaining in the third following back-to-back threes from McBride and Morris before Howard hit a three just before the end of the period. The Bison shot nearly 50% from the floor in the second half and made 12 free throws to hold onto its lead.
CSU returns to action on Saturday, February 28, when it hosts Norfolk State for Senior Day at 2:00 pm. Prior to the game, the Eagles will recognize
Skylar Barnes,
Sydney Burris,
Jahcelyn Hartfield,
Paris McBride,
Khila Morris and
Patricia Sosa Lora.
