Jan. 19, 2008

Box Score

Baltimore, Md. - A strong second half surge and a host of double-digit performances allowed Coppin State University defeat visiting Bethune-Cookman University, 61-46 at the Coppin Center in Baltimore, Md. on Saturday afternoon.

CSU (7-10, 2-2 MEAC) used an 11-1 run sparked by the play of leading-scorer Shalamar Oakley to bolster the Lady Eagles to a sizeable 31-17 halftime lead over their counterparts from Daytona Beach, Fla. The `Cats were seeking their first win in conference play, and hoping to avoid their current seven-game MEAC losing skid dating back to last season.

B-CU knocked off Maryland Eastern Shore in the Ocean Center by a count of 47-46 in a last-second effort last year on Feb. 19.

In the second half, Bethune-Cookman employed a stingy man-to-man defense on Oakley and teammate Rashida Suber, but it wasn't enough as Danielle Anders then went to work on the inside for the Lady Eagles.

B-CU (3-12, 0-4 MEAC) was unable to contain the deadly shooters and inside play of CSU as every time the `Cats made a comeback attempt, it was then held back by a run countered for the Lady Eagles.

Senior forward Natasha Ferguson and Euneshia Proctor both helped the Wildcats cut the lead to 11 twice in the second half. But each time, there was Oakley and Jennifer Martin to help push the lead back out to 1 15-plus point margin.

Suber, a preseason All-MEAC First Team selection for the Lady Eagles, scored 10 points in the game to become the all-time leading scorer in school history at Coppin State University.

Keturah Newkirk nailed a three-pointer down the stretch to add to her three-point totals in school history. She connected on four (4) three-point baskets in the contest as she finished up with a team-high 14 points in the contest for B-CU. She has now hit a three-pointer in all but one game this year for the `Cats.

Just two years ago, before taking a medical redshirt during the 2006-07 campaign, Newkirk finished the year as the nation's top three-point shooter in Division I women's basketball. She leads the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) with 38 this season.

Currently, Newkirk is 49th in the nation for three-point field goals made per game.

CSU was led in scoring by five (5) players in double-figures as Oakley led all scorers in the game with 19. She also added two assists and one steal. Behind her were Martin (11 pts., 11 rebs.) and Anders (11 pts., 10 rebs.) with double-double performances, respectively. Suber, in a record-setting night, scored 10 points and pulled in six rebounds.

As for B-CU, they were led by Newkirk's 14-point outburst ... with all field goals being three-point baskets. Behind her was the always outstanding Ferguson with 10 points and six boards.

Freshman forward Sarah Bolden added 10 rebounds for the Wildcats as she now posted double-digit boards in back-to-back games. She posted 11 boards against Howard just under a week ago in Washington, D.C.

The game started out close-knit as both teams exchanged baskets behind Ferguson and Bolden (B-CU), as well as Oakley and Martin (CSU) which would set the tone for the night in the scoring category for both teams.

CSU eventually pulled ahead on a 9-2 run behind Suber and Oakley to give the Lady Eagles a comfortable 18-9 advantage with 9:28 left in the opening half of play. The `Cats would close the gap to just four points at 20-16 behind four-straight points from freshman guard Demetria Frank, and a basket by one of the Palmetto Pals--Ferguson.

That's when Oakley scored eight consecutive points for the Lady Eagles of CSU to close-out the half on a high note and give them a 31-17 lead at the break.

B-CU is currently riding a season-long five-game losing skid which they will get the chance to try and break on Monday night when they travel across town to west Baltimore to tangle with the Lady Bears of Morgan State University at 5:30 inside the beautiful Hill Field House on the campus of MSU. That will be the last of a six-game road swing for the Wildcats ... all at least two states away for travel purposes.

The last home contest for the `Cats was back on Dec. 17 in a hard-fought 60-58 victory over newly reclassified Division I opponent North Carolina Central University ... also B-CU's last victory.