Dover (Jan. 31, 2009) --- Freshman Morgan Rowland sank a free throw with 1.7 seconds left in overtime to give Delaware State a 52-51 women's basketball win over Coppin State in Memorial Hall this afternoon.
The Lady Hornets have won three straight, and seven of their last eight, to improve to 10-10 overall and 6-1 in the MEAC. The loss snapped a four-game win streak for the Eagles, who fell to 6-12 and 5-3. Delaware State also snapped a six-game losing streak against CSU, notching its first win over the Eagles since 2005.
The score was 51-51 when Rowland who entered the game for the first time with 7.9 seconds left in overtime. She was fouled by Coppin State's Danielle Anders while attempting a game-winning shot. Rowland missed the first free throw, but sank the second to give the Lady Hornets their first lead since the 8:05 mark of the second half. A desperation shot by Coppin State from beyond half-court fell short of the rim as time expired.
Delaware State forced the extra period when Alexis Abraham hit a three-point shot to tie the score at 49 with 0.8 seconds left in regulation.
In the overtime, Coppin State pulled ahead 51-49 on two free throws by Whitney Cunningham with 4:01 left to play. Following the free throws, neither team could score for more than two minutes. Delaware State's Thea Littlepage broke the drought with a basket to tie the game at 51 with 1:41 remaining.
Delaware State led by as many as five in the early going, but Coppin State rallied to take a 28-21 lead on a basket by Lakeytah Irving with 3:10 left in the half.
The Eagles led 30-27 at the break.
“I'm really proud of the way we fought throughout the game,” said Delaware State head coach Ed Davis, who improved to 102-46 in MEAC regular season game at DSU. “I was particularly pleased to see our younger players step up in pressure situations against a quality opponent.”
Coppin State led 47-43 after a free throw by Cunningham with 1:31 left in regulation. The Eagles led 47-44 when Cunningham missed two free throws with 25 seconds remaining.
Cortney Crockett hit two free throws with 15 seconds left to pull the Lady Hornets to within 47-46. Cunningham then sank two free throws to give the Eagles a 49-46 lead with 12 seconds remaining to set up Abraham's heroics.
Delaware State hit a season-high nine three-point field goals (9-26), including a career-high five by freshman Sonia Johnson, who led all players with 15 points.
Johnson was 5-for-7 from three-point territory in the first half, but held scoreless in the second half and overtime. Crockett came off the bench to add 12 points for the Lady Hornets. Keyhana Wakefield had seven points and a game-high six assists for DSU.
Irving was the only Coppin State player in double-figures with 12 points.
Delaware State was 19-for-63 from the floor (30.2%), and just 5-of-15 at the free throw line. Coppin State hit 19 of its 53 shots from the field (35.8%), and was 13-for-20 at the line.
The Lady Hornets will seek their fourth win in a row on Monday at home against Morgan State. Game time is 5:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. Coppin State also returns to action on Monday at Maryland-Eastern Shore.
