NORFOLK, Va., (MEAC) —Alexus Hicks scored a game-high 18 points and Moengaroa Subritzky and Tori Morris contributed 12 and 10 to help the University of Maryland Eastern Shore get past Coppin State, 62-59 in the opening round of the MEAC Tournament at the Scope.
The game was a nip-and-tuck affair throughout with neither team leading by more than eight points. There were 13 lead changes and nine ties.
It was Hicks who produced the key points down the stretch as she scored eight of her team’s last 10 points.
The Hawks (13-15) appeared to have the game in hand when Subritzky knocked down a floater in the lane that gave her team at 59-51 lead at the 1:41 mark. But the Eagles (8-21) would not fold and responded with a 6-0 run during a 1:23 stretch to get to within two at 59-57 with 15 ticks.
Subritzky added a free throw but Chance Graham score on a layup to again get within one at 60-59. That was as close as MDES would get as Hicks hit her fifth and sixth free throw to close out the scoring and advance to the quarterfinal round against Hampton, the Number 3 Seed on Thursday at 12 p.m.
Four of Hicks baskets came on three-point shots. She also added five assists. Subritzky added six points and six assists to her stat line.
The Eagles were led by their senior dynamic backcourt of Genesis Lucas and Keena Samuels who combined or 32 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in a losing effort.
Coppin State held a 27-16 advantage in points in the paint and 11-0 on fast break points but MDES won the bench battle, 27-8.
