Lady Cobras Claim Third Straight Win

Hartsville, SC – Coker College dug deep to pull out their third consecutive win Thursday evening in an 84-79 victory over Mt. Olive in women’s collegiate basketball.  Late game heroics by freshman Justina Dakins and junior Shamae Hemingway helped the Cobras seal the victory.  Coker improves to 5-6 on the year and 3-2 in the CVAC while the Trojans drop to 3-9, and 2-3 in conference.

Coker took the advantage in a tight first half, grabbing its largest lead at 33-26 with 4:16 to play, and went into the break leading 36-35. Mt. Olive shot an impressive 58 percent in the first period, however the Cobras connected on 11-15 free throw attempts to stay just ahead.

MOC began to pull away from Coker midway through the second half and stretched their lead to 65-56 with 9:24 to play on a layup by Ladora Charles. CC kept the lead under 10 points and finally began to make a move with 3:55 remaining.  Hemingway made a layup and added another jumper on Coker’s next two possessions and cut the lead from six to two points.

After a pair of free throws by MOC’s Morgan Petrin, Hemingway was fouled and drained two more from the charity stripe pull the Cobras back within two at 75-73.  Coker made a stop on the defensive end and a three pointer from junior Selena Davis put the Cobras back in front at 76-75, which set up the final two minutes of drama.

Dakins found herself on the line with 29 seconds remaining and the score tied at 77-77. The freshman from Barron, Wisconsin calmly knocked in both shots and then, after a defensive stop, found Hemingway for a layup and a four point lead with 13 seconds to play. Hemingway put her stamp on the end of the game after securing a missed foul shot and laying the ball in as time expired for the final margin.

Hemingway recorded her second straight double-double with 24 points and 12 rebounds and was a difference maker in the final minutes of action.  Five Cobras reached double-figures, including a big performance from junior Frederica McClary, who scored 11 points on 5-8 shooting. 

Dakins also turned in an all-around effort with 13 points, seven assists and three rebounds, and junior Selena Davis tallied another 12 points and five boards.  Junior Leanne Chandler overcame a difficult night from the floor by connecting on 7-8 free throws, and finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds. 

The Trojans outstanding duo of Nikki Bowen and Ladora Charles scored 15 and 19 points respectively.  Bowen might have made more of a difference but she battled foul trouble for much of the second period.  Tanika Hudgins and Monique Murphy also reached double digits for MOC, scoring 11 points apiece.  Taneal Boone did the dirty work inside with nine points and 12 rebounds.

The Cobras will hit the road this weekend for a Saturday, January 18, match up with the Bulldogs of Barton College. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 PM in Wilson, NC.