PEMBROKE, N.C. – The Coker women’s basketball team opened their 2010-11 season with a 77-54 loss to the Braves of UNC-Pembroke on Monday night in women’s collegiate basketball action. Senior Megan Thomas (Creeskill, N.J.) was the Cobras leading scoring with 14 points and three rebounds.

Turnovers and rebounds were key factors in the loss for Coker, as the Cobras committed 18 turnovers that led to 16 points and they were out rebounded 49-28. The Braves used the rebounding advantage to home 16 second chance points, compared to just seven second chance points for the Cobras.

Joining Thomas in double figures was freshman Nikki Grigsby (Las Vegas, Nev.) with 13 points, while junior Jasmine Alston (Sumter, S.C.) chipped in 10 points and pulled down five rebounds. Sophomore Lucy Fish (Nottingham, England) also added seven points to the Cobras effort.

The Cobras will host Morris College on Wednesday in their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in the Timberlake-Lawton Gymnasium.