In a thrilling matchup at Cotterell Court, the Coppin State Eagles knocked off the Colgate Raiders in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.
The Eagles, who finished the regular season with an 18-14 record, secured a 58-48 victory over the Raiders, who boasted a 23-9 record.
Coppin State, led by standout performances from Angel Jones and Laila Lawrence, demonstrated resilience and determination throughout the game. Jones scored 14 points, while Lawrence contributed 10 points and an impressive 12 rebounds, helping the Eagles dominate the boards and control the tempo of the game.
On the other hand, Colgate struggled to find its rhythm. Morgan McMahon led the Raiders with 14 points, including three 3-pointers. However, the team’s offense faltered in the fourth quarter, scoring only five points, which ultimately sealed their fate.
This victory marked a historic moment for Coppin State, as it marked their first postseason win since 2009. The Eagles will now advance to the second round of the WNIT, where they will face Cleveland State.
“We’re thrilled to be moving forward in the tournament,” said Coppin State head coach Jermaine Woods. “Our team has shown incredible heart and dedication this season, and we’re proud to represent our institution on this stage.”
FINAL: @CoppinState_WBB Defeats Colgate in 1st Round of @WomensNIT
Angel Jones with 14 points, 4 rebounds & 5 steals
Laila Lawrence: 10 pts, 12 rebounds, 2 steals & 3 blocks. Sets CSU single-season record for rebounds
Dani McTeer: 12 points pic.twitter.com/nkR1cYeoZc
— Coppin Sports (@coppinsports) March 22, 2025
The Raiders, despite their strong season, were unable to overcome Coppin State’s defensive prowess and rebounding advantage. Colgate’s head coach, Ganiyat Adeduntan, praised her team’s effort but acknowledged the challenges they faced against a determined Coppin State squad.
“Coppin State played a great game, and we couldn’t find our rhythm when it mattered most,” Adeduntan said. “We’re proud of our season, but we know we have work to do for next year.”
This matchup marked the first time Coppin State and Colgate have faced each other, and it will be remembered as a significant upset in the WNIT.
As Coppin State moves forward in the tournament, they will look to build on this momentum and continue making history for their program.
This story was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by HBCU Sports journalists.
