Coker Falls at UVA-Wise in Conference Action on Saturday

WISE, Va. - The Coker University women's basketball team fell at UVA-Wise in South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday (Jan. 18) by a score of 73-59. 

 UVA-Wise held an 8-5 lead midway through the first quarter, before the Cobras would get within one multiple times later in the frame. UVA-Wise would carry a narrow 12-11 lead to the second quarter. 

The Cobras took the lead at 14-12 12 seconds into the quarter on a Shay Jackson three-pointer, before the Cavaliers would re-gain a five-point lead around the halfway point of the frame. The lead would fluctuate as the quarter went into its final minute, before Janell Horton sunk a three-pointer with three seconds left in the half to send the Cobras to the locker room trailing just 28-26. 

The two teams battled to a 33-33 tie in the first four minutes, before going bucket-for-bucket through most of the third quarter. An Erin Houser layup with less than three minutes remaining gave the Cobras a 42-41 lead, before an Amanda Cherry three-pointer would knot the game up yet again at 47 with less than a minute to play in the quarter. Two free throws from Houser put the Cobras ahead 49-47 headed to the fourth quarter. 

UVA-Wise would battle back to re-gain the lead at 54-52 less than four minutes into the fourth, before a split pair of Hope Richardson free throws would get the Cobras back within one at 56-55. The Cavaliers would go on a run to extend their lead to as many as 12 into the final minute, before taking the home court victory. 

Janell Horton led the Cobras with a career-high 15 points on the day, while Houser also added 13 points. Four other Cobras scored in the game. Houser pulled down a game and career-high 19 boards in the contest to complete the double-double, while five other Cobras were active on the glass. Jackson led the Cobras dishing out five assists in the game, while four other Cobras also helped on buckets in the game. Jackson also posted a team-high two steals, while three other Cobras each had one swipe in the game. Janell Horton recorded both of Coker's rejections in the contest. 

The Cobras return home next Wednesday (Jan. 22) to face Newberry in South Atlantic Conference action. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. from the DeLoach Center, with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com. A reminder to fans that the Coker University men's lacrosse team is sponsoring a shoe drive to benefit the InnerSole Foundation and the Hartsville Boys and Girls Club. Donation of a new or slightly worn pair of shoes gets free admission into the games.