HICKORY, N.C. – The Coker College women's basketball team fell to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears 58-52 on Wednesday evening (Jan. 20) in a South Atlantic Conference road matchup.

The Cobras struggled in the first five minutes of the opening quarter, trailing 12-4. However, they would fight their way back over the next 15 minutes, outscoring the Bears 19-13 to cut the deficit to just two at the half, 25-23.

Lenoir-Rhyne came out hot once again in the beginning of the half, surging out to a 32-23 lead after a 7-0 to open the third quarter. Down by 10 with 2:34 left in the third quarter, Coker began to go on a run of their own. The Cobras reeled off a 10-2 to close out the quarter, trailing 39-37 going into the final 10 minutes.

After an opening Lenoir-Rhyne bucket, Kiara Shoats went on a 9-0 run of her own, pushing the Navy and Gold out to a five-point lead. The two teams would trade baskets with the game being tied at 52-all with 1:10 left. However, the Bears converted on an and-one opportunity and made three of four free throws down the stretch to clinch the 58-52 win.

Shoats finished with a career-high 24 points, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter. She also pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists. The duo of Kendra Lambert and Terrika Foster had eight points each, while Jazz Green scored six points and pulled down 10 rebounds.

The Cobras will be back at home on Saturday (Jan. 23) to take Lincoln Memorial University in game one of a two-game homestand. Opening tip set for 2 p.m.