Cobras Fall to Queens (N.C.) in Conference Action Wednesday Night

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University women's basketball team fell to visiting Queens (N.C.) on Wednesday night (Dec. 18) in South Atlantic Conference play by a score of 77-63.

The teams went back and forth for the first few minutes, before Coker put together a run to go ahead 14-8 at the halfway point of the frame. Queens would get within two with three minutes to play in the quarter, before Coker would extend its lead to six and then to the frame's final score at 23-15 

Queens would get back in the game by winning the second quarter 19-8. The Cobras extended their lead to double digits over the first three minutes of the period, before Queens would chip away over the next few minutes before finally taking the lead with a three-pointer from Kelsey Leedle at the two-minute mark. Queens would stretch its lead to five in the final minute, before a layup from Erin Houser with 24 seconds left served as the quarter's final bucket. Queens took a 34-31 lead to the half.

The Royals would open the third quarter by stretching their lead to five, before Coker would tie the game up at 36 less than a minute and a half in. The two teams later played to a 41-41 tie, before the Royals would build a six-point lead with three and a half minutes to play in the quarter. The Royals would build a seven-point lead in the quarter's final minutes, which they would take to the final period.

 Queens would build its lead to double-digits two and a half minutes into the fourth quarter, while keeping Coker at a distance of at least nine points. Coker would get back within 10 with a minute and a half to play, before Queens would come away with the road victory.

 Saquita Joyner paced the Cobras with a career-high 22 points, while Ashauntee Nelson added 13 points in the contest. Six other Cobras contributed to the scoring in the game. Joyner also tied a career-high with 11 rebounds to complete the double-double, while Erin Houser also pulled down 11 boards in the game. Eight other Cobras were active on the glass in the game. Nelson dished out four assists in the game, while Jalah Horton tied a career-high with four assists. Joyner also added two assists in the game. Joyner, Nelson and Amanda Cherry each recorded two steals in the game, while Hope Richardson, Horton, Avahna Baker and Hayley Kropp each had one steal in the game.

Coker returns to action on the final day of 2019 (Tuesday, Dec. 31) as they travel to Paine College for a non-conference contest. Tip-off for that game is set for 2:00 p.m.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Saquita Joyner