Cobras Down Wingate Wednesday Night for Pivotal Conference Win

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Coker University women's basketball team downed Wingate 68-64 for a pivotal South Atlantic Conference win on Wednesday (Jan. 27). 

Wingate built a 12-6 lead through the first six minutes of the game, before taking a 14-12 lead to the end of the first quarter.

 The Bulldogs would expand their lead into double-digits in the first half of the second quarter, before the Cobras would get back within two with under two minutes to play in the half. Wingate would ultimately take a 31-27 lead to the half.

 The teams played to a 35-35 tie through the first three minutes and change in the third quarter, before the Cobras would go on a run to take a 46-40 lead with under three minutes to play in the frame. The Cobras would keep the Bulldogs at a possession's distance through the end of the third quarter, taking a 48-44 lead to the fourth.

The teams would trade buckets through the fourth quarter, before Wingate would re-gain their lead at 56-55 with three minutes to play. After playing to a 58-58 tie with two minutes left, the Cobras were able to battle to the free throw line and ice the game from the charity stripe.

The Cobras shot 32.3 percent in the victory, aided by four three-pointers and a season-high 24 made free throws. Raya Coley paced the Cobras with 16 points, while Emily Davis added 14 points. Valicia Demeritte and Avahna Baker each posted 11 points in the game, while Abigail Keesling chipped in 10 points and Haley McClure added six. McClure and Coley each pulled down a team-high nine boards in the game, with Coley nearly missing a double-double effort. Baker registered career-highs in both points and boards in the game, pulling down eight rebounds. Three other Cobras were active on the glass. Raya Coley dished out a team-high three assists in the game, while three others helped on Cobra buckets. Davis led the Cobras with three steals, while three others recorded steals for Coker. Demeritte also posted the lone rejection in the game for the Cobras.                                          

The Cobras return to action on Saturday (Jan. 30) to travel to Anderson (S.C.) for a South Atlantic Conference matinee. Tip-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from Anderson, S.C. with video and live stats available at www.cokercobras.com.

Coker University will continue to assess the NCAA, federal, state and local developments and provide updated revisions as additional information is available.

McDonald's Player of the Game - Avahna Baker