NORFOLK, Va. — The Norfolk State women's basketball team fell to the streaking Coppin State Eagles 57-55 on Monday night in Echols Hall, handing the Spartans their second conference loss of the season. Coppin State are now riding a three-game win streak, looking like a totally different team than the Spartans played in an 85-48 win earlier in the season.
After a slow start offensively, both teams found rhythm in a third quarter that was shaped by two large runs by both teams. The Eagles (3-22, 3-10 MEAC) started the second half with a 10-3 run that opened their largest lead of the game at the 6:10 mark of the third quarter, up by 18 points over the Spartans. The Spartans (15-9, 9-2 MEAC) answered with a 12-2 run in the last 6:04 of the third quarter, cutting the Eagles lead to just four points with the score 43-39 entering the fourth quarter.
The Eagles did just enough to hold their lead for the rest of the game, converting on free-throws and grabbing a couple big offensive rebounds that killed more clock. The Spartans cut the Eagles' lead down to one-point multiple times in the final period, but were unable to make a shot that gave them a lead. Armani Franklin had a chance to take a late lead with 24 seconds left in regulation for the Spartans, throwing up a rushed three-pointer with a dwindling shot-clock caused by a good defensive possession by the Eagles
Eagles went on a 15-4 run to start the second quarter to open up a 28-16 lead on the Spartans. CSU did well to limit the Spartan's fast break points, getting back defensively in transition which also contributed to the slower pace of the game. The Eagles were also able to score five points off of four NSU turnovers. With the possibility of heading into halftime down by double-digits, the Spartans answered with a 6-0 run to end the first half down 28-22.
The Eagles came out with a zone defense right from the start, which gave the Spartans trouble all night. Both teams shot decently in the first, each shooting 6-of-15 (40%) from the floor. Alexandria Hamilton came off the bench for CSU, scoring four of the Eagles' 13 points in the quarter. After one, the Eagles held a 13-12 lead.
Free-throws can be the difference in a game decided by just two points, with the Spartans going just 10-of-20 (50%) from the charity stripe compared to the Eagles 8-of-13 (61.5%). The deep ball wasn't dropping for the Spartans as well, shooting 3-of-17 (17.6%) from behind the arc compared to the Eagles 5-of-16 (31.3%). The overall field goal percentage was also better for the Eagles, shooting 22-of-49 (44.9%) while the Spartans shot 21-of-55 (38.2%).
Chanette Hicks led the Spartans with 19 points, while adding six rebounds and two assists. La'Deja James scored 15, while Blaire Thomas had nine points and six rebounds. Reigning MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Chance Graham had her ninth double-double of the season for the Eagles, scoring a game-high 22 points and snagging 14 rebounds. CSU's Aliyah Lawson scored 16 points and dished out a game-high five assists.
The Spartans head to the Sunshine State for a road weekend against Florida A&M on Saturday and the conference leading Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Monday.
Spartans fall to streaking Coppin State
The NSU women had their three game win streak snapped by the Eagles losing 57-55.
