Keesling and Joyner Score in Double Figures in Tight Loss to No. 24 Catawba

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - Abigail Keesling and Saquita Joyner scored in double figures Wednesday night (Jan. 19), as Coker women's basketball dropped a tight South Atlantic Conference contest to No. 24 Catawba by a score of 60-56.

The teams battled to a 13-13 deadlock through six minutes, before Catawba would ultimately take an 18-17 lead after one quarter. The teams battled to a 23-23 tie through three and a half minutes of the second, before the teams went back and forth and Coker would eventually take a 28-27 lead with just over two minutes to play in the half. Catawba would take a 31-30 lead to the half.

A low-scoring third quarter saw the Indians take a five-point lead to the fourth. After playing to a 32-32 deadlock through a minute and a half, the Indians would go out in front and remain in front headed to the fourth quarter. Catawba led 45-40 headed to the fourth.

Catawba extended their lead early in the fourth, before the Cobras would eventually trim the deficit back to one possession in the final minute. The Cobras came close, but were unable to find the tying bucket.

Keesling led the way with a season-high 15 points, while Joyner added 14 points of her own. Six other Cobras contributed points in the game. Coker out-rebounded Catawba 42-37, led by a game-high 14 from Joyner to complete the double-double. Seven other Cobras were active on the glass. Dasia Lambert dished out a team-high two assists, while six others helped on Coker buckets in the game. Five Cobras each registered one steal in the game, while Joyner also posted two blocks in the game.

The Cobras return to the hardwood on Saturday (Jan. 22) on the road to face Lenoir-Rhyne in South Atlantic Conference action. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from Hickory, N.C., with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Saquita Joyner