Dover, Del. (Feb. 16, 2013) --- Delaware State led by as many as 11 points in the first half before Coppin State rallied for a 73-68 women's basketball win in Memorial Hall this afternoon.
The Lady Hornets dropped their fourth straight game to fall to 8-15 overall and 5-5 in the MEAC. Coppin State improved to 10-15 and 6-6.
Tierra Hawkins was high scorer for DSU with 19 points, while Tasia Bristow added 17.
Kyra Coleman led Coppin State with 12 points.
The Lady Hornets started fast, opening up an 11-4 lead on a lay-up by Hawkins to cap off an 8-0 run with 16:18 left in the first half.
After Coppin State pulled to within 12-11, Delaware State started another rally to take a double-digit lead.
The Lady Hornets outscored the Eagles 14-4 over the next four minutes, and opened up a 26-15 lead on a lay-in by Hawkins with 10:11 left in the half. Chelsea Dukes came off the bench to score seven points and Jade Washington four during the spurt.
Coppin State outscored DSU 22-12 during the remainder of the first half to pull to within 38-37 at the break.
The Eagles scored four of the first six points of the second half, and took their first lead since early in the game, 41-40, on a jumper by Coleman with 18:05 left to play.
Coppin State stretched its lead to 50-43 when Shanice Maynard nailed a three-pointer with 14:18 remaining in the game.
Delaware State responded with a 13-4 run, and opened up a 56-54 lead on two free throws by Hawkins at the 8:56 mark of the second half.
The score was 56-56 when Coppin State began to pull away. The Eagles outscored DSU 16-7 over the next six minutes, and opened up a 72-63 lead on a follow-up basket by Shawntae Payne with 2:06 left to play.
The Lady Hornets pulled to within four points in the last minute, but could get no closer.
Delaware State outrebounded the Eagles 38-33 but was plagued by 25 turnovers.
Hawkins has reached double figures in scoring in 20 of Delaware State's 23 games. She has led the team in scoring in 16 games.
The Lady Hornets wore pink uniforms during the contest in conjunction with the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Play 4Kay initiative to raise awareness and funding in the fight against cancer.
