DUE WEST, SC — Coker struggled offensively Monday night in a 46-43 loss at Erskine in women’s collegiate basketball.  The Cobras haven’t fared well in the first half recently and managed only 16 points in the opening period against the Flying Fleet.  CC drops to 4-7 on the season and 1-3 in the CVAC, while Erskine improves to 5-4, 1-2 in the conference.

Coker has been close in each of their last two games but an 18 point opening half on Saturday and 16 points at Erskine equaled a pair of narrow defeats.  The Cobras trailed by six at the break but outscored EC 27-24 in the second period. 

A free throw from senior Shamae Hemingway/Conway, SC tied the game at 43 with under a minute to play but Kristy Vaughan scored on a layup with 27 seconds left for a 45-43 advantage.  Coker called a timeout to draw up a play but couldn’t tie the game back up.  EC added a free throw to with five seconds remaining to create the final score.

Junior Ashley White/Mt. Airy, MD totaled 10 points and seven rebounds in one of her best outings of the season and senior Michelle Glover/Beaufort, SC grabbed a game-high 12 boards.  Hemingway had an off night shooting and finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.  Freshman Tyesha Ervin/Darlington, SC scored nine points and classmate Ashley Brooks/Hillsborough, NC added eight points and two steals.

The Cobras out-rebounded Erskine 43-38 but turned the ball over 18 times to EC’s seven.  Coker did limit the Fleet to 29 percent shooting but didn’t take advantage by shooting 30 percent as a team.

Coker will attempt to end their skid at home on Thursday, January 13, against Mt. Olive.