BANNER ELK, NC – The Lees-McRae Lady Bobcats basketball team won their second straight Conference Carolinas contest Saturday afternoon, topping the visiting Coker College Lady Cobras 78-71 at Williams Gymnasium.  The Lady Bobcats improve to 2-4, (2-1 Conference Carolinas), while the Lady Cobras remain winless at 0-7, (0-3).

From the opening whistle, neither team was willing to give up an inch as the Lady Bobcats and Lady Cobras went back and forth trading baskets.  For much of the half, the teams stayed with three points of one another until the Lady Cobras pulled ahead for their largest lead of the contest, 27-20 with 6:18 remaining.  Chahkia Harrison (Baltimore, MD) ignited the Lady Bobcats comeback, driving the lane for a layup and drawing a foul on the play.  Harrison completed the three point play to cut the deficit to three as the Lady Bobcats ended the half outscoring the visitors 9-6 to send the teams into halftime knotted at 33.

The Lady Bobcats opened the second half with a 15-5 run over the first three and a half minutes to quickly establish a double digit lead, 48-38, and take firm control of the game.  The Lady Bobcats extended their lead to as much as fifteen, however the Lady Cobras would continue to battle back.  With just under twelve minutes remaining and the Lady Bobcats leading by 14, Coker began a full court press.  The result saw Coker fight back to within one point with 5:04 remaining, however the Lady Bobcats managed to swing the momentum back in their favor and withstand the Lady Cobras press for their second straight win.

“I was pleased to see contributions from many different players today, however we played inconsistently,” commented Head Coach Sebastian Wild.  “We played well at points, but overall not well enough to be successful on a regular basis.  We really need to play a full 40 minutes of consistent basketball to be able compete in this conference.”

The Lady Bobcats were led by senior Stephanie Mullinax (Etowah, TN) who had a game highs in points with 31 and rebounds with 11.  Junior Cortney Furr (Concord, NC) chipped in with a season high 17 points while Renee Roberson (Salisbury, NC) added 11.

Lotta Aaltonen (Rauma, Finland) paced the Lady Cobras with 20 points and six rebounds while Kenya McCarthan (Hardeeville, SC) and Temeca Spain (Conway, SC) each added 14 points.

The Lady Bobcats will look to continue their winning ways Monday evening when non-conference foe Tusculum visits Williams Gymnasium.  Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00pm.