MURFREESBORO, N.C. – The Chowan Women's Basketball team kept their postseason aspirations alive with a 71-68 overtime victory against Lees-McRae in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
FINAL | Chowan 71, Lees-McRae 68 | OT
RECORDS | Chowan 6-19 (6-15), Lees-McRae 8-21 (5-16)
LOCATION | Murfreesboro, N.C. (Helms Center)
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
Mariah Coker tied her career-high with 28 points by tying the school record with seven made three-pointers. Coker had four steals to claim the Chowan Division II all-time steals record passing Ransheda Jennings for the all-time mark.
Destiny Robinson tallied 11 points in the win. Brianna Copeland chipped in with seven points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Emaree Hinton put the Hawks on the board quickly going 1-2 from the stripe. Chowan would go on an 11-2 run to lead 12-4 as Mariah Coker connected from deep three times. Keibra Hopkins scored in transition off a steal from Coker.
Mariah Coker knocked down another triple and Keibra Hopkins went 1-2 from the line to lead 16-7 midway through the quarter.
Destiny Robinson added a pair from the charity stripe and Olivia Gaither sunk 1-2 from the line to lead 19-9.
Emaree Hinton added a pair and Mariah Coker stole a pass and went coast-to-coast with the record breaking steal and converted the layup to lead 23-11.
Lees-McRae added three free throws to trail 23-14.
Second Quarter:
LMC went on an 8-0 run to start the quarter to cut the deficit to 23-22. Aniah Patterson scored the first points for the Hawks in the quarter 4:10 in. Mariah Coker knocked down a three to push the lead to 28-22.
After a small run by the Bobcats, Kaylah Henderson completed the old-fashioned three-point play to lead 31-26.
Mariah Coker would dial up another long distance shot before the end of the half to lead 34-28.
Third Quarter:
Lees-McRae scored five quick points to cut the deficit to one, 34-33, before a layup by Icez Barnett and a triple by Teylahna Green allowed the Hawks some breathing room, 39-33.
Brianna Copeland offset the four points by the Bobcats with a pair of buckets. LMC would trail 43-40 at the end of the quarter.
Fourth Quarter:
The Bobcats would take a 46-43 lead quickly in the fourth quarter before Mariah Coker knocked down a triple and finished off the rare four-point play for the 47-46 lead.
Icez Barnett went 1-2 from the line before the Bobcats took the lead 49-48. Destiny Robinson converted a layup to shift the lead back to the Hawks.
Mariah Coker and Olivia Gaither tallied a basket each to keep the lead in the hands of the Hawks. Coker added a pair from the stripe with 1:56 remaining in regulation to lead 56-55. Destiny Robinson gave the Hawks a three point lead, 58-55, with a jumper.
LMC went on a 7-1 run to lead 62-59 with 33 seconds left. Destiny Robinson added the lone tally from the stripe. Brianna Copeland came up clutch with a three-pointer from the right wing to even the score.
The Bobcats had a chance to win the game in regulation but Destiny Robinson rejected the attempt at the buzzer.
Overtime:
Chowan and LMC swapped baskets in the first couple minutes of overtime with Destiny Robinson scoring both jumpers.
Emaree Hinton and Kaylah Henderson went 2-2 from the stripe to put the Hawks on top 70-68 with under a minute to play.
Mariah Coker sealed the deal with a steal and led to another free throw for the Hawks to win 71-68. LMC turned the ball over on their final possession.
UP NEXT
Chowan will finish up the regular season in hopes for the eighth spot in the Conference Carolinas tournament as the Hawks host Limestone on Tuesday, February 25. The contest is senior night for Mariah Coker and will also be Play4Kay. Tip-off is slated for 5:30pm.
