HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker women’s basketball team was not able to snap their nine game losing streak on Monday night against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at the Timberlake-Lawton Gymnasium for a Conference Carolinas matchup, as the Lady Cobras fell to the Crusaders 85-53, dropping them 1-12 in conference play and 2-16 overall, while Belmont Abbey improves to 9-4 in the conference and 11-7 overall. The Lady Cobras have now dropped 10 of their last 11, all conference games. 

The Crusaders came storming out of the gate in the first half, holding Coker scoreless in the first seven minutes of play.  Through the first half Coker shot only 19.2 percent from the floor.  The Cobras were 0-for-3 in three point shots, but were 8 for 8 in free throws.  Kiesha Beavers (Williamstown, N.J.) led the Cobra offense in the first half with 10 points, and six rebounds.  Beavers also shot 6-for-6 in free throws. 

The Crusaders were led by Ashley Giddens (Reading, Pa.) and Shayla Jackson (Knoxville, Tenn.), who both scored 11 points.  Jackson also nabbed seven rebounds.  As a team the Crusaders shot 62.5 percent from the floor, allowing them to walk into the half with a 43-18 lead.

The second half brought more success for Belmont Abbey as they managed to gain a 38 point lead in the half.  Coker was led by Jasmine Alston (Sumter, S.C.) who scored 12 points in the second half.   Alyx Ingram (Cary, N.C.) really turned her game on for the Crusaders in the second as she netted eleven points. 

The Cobras shot 46.4 percent from the floor in the second, compared to their 19.2 percent in the first.  After scoring only 18 points in the first half, the Cobras scored 35 in the second.  The Crusaders nearly matched their first point total of 43, as they scored 43 in the second half. 

Beavers led all scorers with 19 points, followed by Belmont Abbey’s Jackson and Coker’s Alston who both scored 18 points.  Jackson also had a game high nine rebounds.

The Lady Cobras take to the court February 3, as they travel to St. Andrews.  They return to Timberlake-Lawton on February 6, against Converse.