Mount Olive Holds on for 85-81 Win over Coker

by Christian Stryker, SID Coker College


Hartsville, S.C. - The Lady Cobras basketball team nearly knocked off their second first place team, as the Mount Olive Trojans narrow escaped defeat with an 85-81 win over Coker on Thursday night in women's collegiate basketball.

With the win, Mount Olive moves to 19-3 overall, and 15-2 in the conference, while extending their winning streak to 13 games, with their last loss coming to Coker on January 5. The Lady Cobras drop to 9-13 overall, and 8-9 in the conference.

It was a fast paced, tight match-up, which saw 13 lead changes and nine ties throughout the forty minutes of play. Coker went to the lock room after the first half with a five point lead, but that quickly dwindled behind the stellar performance of Jasmine Whitby and Tomecka Prichard, as they combined for 43 of the Lady Trojans points.

Coker found themselves within striking distance as the final seconds ticked off the clock and senior Jessica Hayes (Beaufort, SC) went to charity stripe with just 7.5 seconds left, with the Lady Cobras down by two. Unfortunately, for Hayes she was unable to make either free throw and Rashonda Speed of Mount Olive came down with the second rebound, forcing Coker to foul. But, like a seasoned veteran, Speed nailed both free throws and put the game out of Coker's reach.

Henna Koponen (Vantaa, Finald) had a career night, dropping in 34 points and grabbing 15 rebounds for the double-double. Following her countrywoman, was Lotta Aaltonen (Rauma, Finland) with 17 points and five rebounds, while Hayes had 10 points and grabbed four rebounds.

For Mount Olive, Whitby had 23 points and six rebounds, while Prichard and 20 points and six rebounds. Also scoring in double figures were Brittney Robich and Shequanta McGee with 17 and 14 points respectively.

Coker and Mount Olive both return to action on Saturday, with Coker traveling to Pfeiffer for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off and Mount Olive travels to Lees-McRae for a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.