Second Half Shooting Fuels Cobras Past Royals

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – For the second time in a week, Junior Autumn Lau blocked the potential game tying shot at the buzzer to preserve the win for Coker.  The Cobras defeated Queens University of Charlotte 63-59 on Tuesday night in Conference Carolinas action and improve to 17-10 on the year, and 13-8 in league play.

With the win, the Cobras clinched the fourth place position in the conference.  

With just second's left, Coker had a slight 62-59 lead over the Royals.  As Shatonya Hardy pulled up from deep for the Royals, she was met by the strong hand of Lau to reject the shot.  Jasmine Evans would then secure the rebound and be fouled. 

Coker struggled offensively in the first half, shooting only 32-percent (11-of-34) from the floor.  With just 3:29 remaining in first half action, the Royals went on a 9-5 run to take a 33-29 lead into the break.

The Cobras came out firing in the second half hitting four consecutive trifectas to only trail 38-40 with 13:37 remaining.  Both teams exchanged buckets into the final minutes of regulation; but Coker found themselves down 59-58.

Angie Lawrence then gave the Cobras a 60-59 lead when she drove into the paint and connected on a layup.  On the opposite end of the floor Lawrence then snagged the defensive rebound to give Coker possession. 

Out of a Coker timeout, the navy and yellow executed a perfect out-of-bounds play giving Evans an open lay-up to put the Cobras up 63-59.  A strong defensive stand from Lau on the opposite end would not give the Royals the opportunity to tie the game.

Four different players scored in double figures for the Cobras.  Lau, Evans, and Lawrence all had 14-point, while Hailey Yohn had 12.  Amber Lau was one point shy of a double-double as she scored nine, and collected ten rebounds. 

As a team the Cobras shot an impressive 10-for-21 (47-percent) from three-point range.   Coker out-rebounded Queens 53-50, and earned 20-second chance points. 

Coker plays their final game of the regular season on Friday (Mar. 1) against Belmont Abbey.  The game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start time.  

Player of the Game: Angie Lawrence.