Cobras Down Mars Hill for South Atlantic Conference Win on Saturday

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University women's basketball team earned its first South Atlantic Conference win on Saturday (Dec. 7), defeating Mars Hill 74-66. 

The Cobras jumped out to an 11-4 lead over the first few minutes, before Mars Hill would get back within four just past the halfway mark. The Cobras would extend their lead to 10 with three minutes to play in the first quarter, before the Lions would get back within six. The two teams would go back and forth for the remainder of the quarter, with Coker leading 25-14 after 10 minutes. 

 Mars Hill would get back within seven early in the second quarter, before Coker would respond by re-gaining its 11-point lead halfway through the frame. The Lions would battle to trim the deficit to four, before consecutive buckets from Erin Houser ended the half and sent Coker to the locker room ahead 40-32. 

Coker led by double-digits for the first minute and a half of the third quarter, before Mars Hill would eventually trim the deficit to as few as six halfway through the period. The Cobras would re-gain their double-digit lead with two minutes to play in the frame, taking a 57-46 lead to the fourth quarter. 

Mars Hill would get the game back to single-digits with four and a half minutes to play in the fourth, before the Lions would get back within four with three minutes to play. The Cobras were able to seize control in the final two minutes to hang on for the home victory. 

Houser led the Cobras with 20 points in the contest, while Jalah Horton (12), Saquita Joyner (11) and Ashauntee Nelson (11) each also scored in double-figures in the game. Four other Cobras contributed points in the victory. Houser led the Cobras on the glass and completed the double-double with 12 rebounds, while eight others were active on the glass for Coker in the game. Nelson dished out a career-high eight assists in the game, while six others added assists in the game. Nelson also led the team with four steals, with five others also registering swipes in the game. Horton and Nelson registered the only blocks in the game for Coker. 

The Cobras (3-3, 1-2 SAC) are back on the floor next Saturday (Dec. 14) at Carson-Nemwan in South Atlantic Conference action. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com. 

McDonald's Player of the Game - Erin Houser