Cobras Fly Past the Fleet in Non-Conference Win

DUE WEST, S.C. - The Coker College women's basketball team picked up their first win of the season on Monday (Nov. 12) when they took down Erskine 77-63.

Both teams battled it out in the first period of play, exchanging the lead on five occasions in the opening 10 minutes. The Flying Fleet looked to be pulling away with a six point lead near the end of the quarter before Haliyah Sumter knocked down a three-point jumper with just three seconds on the clock to cut the deficit in half.

The second quarter would be much of the same as the lead changed hands four times, with neither team pulling ahead by more than four points. The Cobras looked to be heading into the half with the advantage after a baskets by Amanda Cherry and Hannah Stull before Erskine hit a pair of threes over the final minute of the half to give themselves a four point advantage at the break.

Shay Jackson and Erin Houser began take over during the third quarter, combining to score 14 of the Cobras' 20 points in the period. Jackson hit a pair of free-throws to tie it up before Haliyah Sumter drained a three to put the Cobras out in front. The Flying Fleet managed to retake the lead moments later but two straight buckets from Houser and three free-throws made by Saquita Joyner put the Navy and Gold ahead for good.

The Cobras opened up the third quarter with six consecutive points to push the lead to double figures after a pair of layups by Jackson and one by Elizabeth Kincaid. Over the final five minutes of play Hope Richardson recorded a pair of layups to put her scoring total into double figures, while Sumter did the same with a jumper moments later. Houser finished off a dominant performance by scoring the final eight points for the Cobras to seal the victory.

Houser led the offense by scoring 23 points on 10-12 shooting and also picked up eight rebounds. Jackson also had a solid night, recording 14 points and pulling down eight boards. The freshman duo of Richardson and Sumter each reached double figures with 10 points, while Sumter also added a team-high five assists. Joyner notched five points on the night, while Stull and Kincaid each recorded four points and seven rebounds. Cherry picked up three points and Aloni McFarland and Ashauntee Nelson rounded out the Coker scoring with two points each.

The Cobras will be back in action Wednesday (Nov. 14) when they travel to Fayetteville State for a non-conference matchup at 6 PM.