ON TO THE NEXT - COBRAS DOWN CRUSADERS TO ADVANCE TO REGIONAL SEMIS

Dahlonega, GA – For the First time in program history, your Coker Cobras have won an NCAA Tournament game! The Cobras take care of first-round action, downing the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at the University of North Georgia.

By The Numbers

Final Score: Coker 58, Belmont Abbey 50
Records: Coker 27-5 (22-5 SAC), Belmont Abbey 25-6 (17-3 Conference Carolinas)
Location: Dahlonega, GA | University of North Georgia

Top Performers

Shawnteanna Tillman: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Kamari Thompson: 11 points, 12 rebounds, 4 blocks
Mya Wasswa: 11 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals

How It Happened

Tillman was hot early in the first quarter for the Cobras, scoring two early three-pointers to have the Cobras up 8-4 about four minutes in. To further their lead, Kristynn Knight hit a jumper to put them up six at 12-6 around the 2:30 mark in the quarter. Belmont Abbey did not want to roll over just yet, ending the quarter on a 7-0 run to take the 13-12 lead heading into quarter number two.

The Crusaders hit another layup to start the quarter to cap their run at 9-0, but Wasswa responded with a shot of her own to stop the run and get them back within one at 15-14. This quarter was one with multiple lead changes and ties, with a tough battle between the competitors ensuing for the remainder of the period. There was never more than a two-point separation, with Courtney Taylor hitting a free-throw at the end of the quarter to give the Cobras a 24-23 lead heading into the locker room.

The first four minutes were more of this back-and-forth action. However, tied at 27 apiece, Tillman hit a big momentum three to give the Cobras a 30-27 lead. After Belmont Abbey took the lead back at 34-32, two huge back-to-back threes by McKaylee Allen and Tillman put the Cobras up four at 38-34, which brought them into the final period of play.

Buckets by Thompson, Allen, and Mariah Mitchem started off the fourth and gave the Cobras a 44-34 lead, capping off a twelve-point run for the squad. After some fight by the Crusaders team, they were able to bring it back within five with 1:07 remaining in the quarter, but the Cobras finished it off at the free-throw line to secure this historic win by the squad!

Notables

• Kamari Thompson was the cornerstone of this win, scoring clutch buckets and holding it down in the paint defensively
• As stated previously, this is the Cobras' first-ever NCAA Tournament win. Furthermore, this is the first time the team has qualified for the illustrious honor.
• The Cobras got after it defensively, outrebounding Belmont Abbey 39-28 and recording more blocks (6-0)

Up Next

With the two teams winning this afternoon, the Cobras will match up with familiar foe Carson-Newman in the regional semifinal game. That game will take place tomorrow at 5:00 PM ET.