HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker women's basketball team was given its first lost of the year on Saturday (Nov. 23) as they fell 71-63 to Carson-Newman in a South Atlantic Conference competition.  The loss drops the Cobras to 3-1 overall, and 1-1 in the SAC. 

Carson-Newman (4-1, 2-0) jumped out to an early 19-7 lead in the first five minutes of the game after a 12-0 offensive run.  Coker's offense would eventually respond with a 20-8 offensive run of their own to tie the game at 27-27 with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half.  The Eagles would then take the slight 36-35 lead over the Cobras into the locker room, after Carson-Newman's Kailyn Brooks hit a three at the buzzer to end the half. 

The game remained tight in the second half, with Coker holding the slight advantage over the Eagles in the early minutes.  Carson-Newman however, put together a 10-0 run to take a 59-55 lead over the Cobras with just five minutes reaming in regulation. 

In the waning minutes of the game, Hailey Yohn connected on back-to-back trifectas to pull the Cobras within three.  Carson-Newmans' Jai Jai McLaughlin would connect on a pair of free throws to put the Eagles back up by five, but on the ensuing position Tanesha Stenson connected from deep to keep the Eagles' lead to just two points. 

In the final seconds of the game, Coker could not connect on the game tying shot and Carson-Newman would go on to hit their free throws to preserve the win. 

Stenson led the game in scoring and in rebounds, putting up her second consecutive and third double-double of the year.  Stenson snagged down 14 boards, and netted 25 points.  Also reaching double digit scoring was Jasmine Evans with a season high 14 points, followed by Yohn with 10 points.

Coker will be looking to shake off the loss as they prepare to travel to Queens University of Charlotte to take on the Royals in a SAC competition on Tuesday (Nov. 26).  The game is set for a 6:00 p.m. start time. 

McDonalds PLayer of the Game: Tanesha Stenson.