HARTSVILLE, S.C. - - Host Coker built an 18-point second half lead before having to overcome a two-point fourth quarter deficit to knock off UVA Wise 75-70 in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball action at the DeLoach Center.
Ashauntee Nelson's bucket with 2:35 to play proved to be the decisive basket as Coker (4-4, 2-3 SAC) would hold UVA Wise (3-5, 3-3 SAC) scoreless for the remainder of the contest.
The basket was the third lead change in less than two minutes. Meg Crawford sank a jumper with 4:12 to play to give the Cavaliers their first lead of the game before a 3-pointer by Dasia Lambert put the Cobras back in front. UVA Wise would regain the lead on a jumper from Caitlyn Ross at the 3:22 mark. A possession later, Coker split a pair of free throws before an empty UVA Wise possession precluded Nelson's shot.
Cobras' forward Saquita Joyner was a pivotal reason why the hosts generated the large lead. Joyner scored 16 of her game-high 19 points in the opening 20 minutes as her club entered intermission leading 44-30.
Jamie Cluesmn's crew began its comeback bid with 6:21 to play in the third quarter when Nia Vanzant kicked off an 8-0 scoring spurt for the visitors.
Vanzant would cut the lead to six going to the final quarter when she scored off a Ross assist to make it a 60-54 contest.
Trailing 66-59 with just over seven minutes to play, the Cavs would embark on a 9-0 scoring spurt that was capped by Crawford's basket for the team's first lead.
Ross and Johnson led UVA Wise with 17 points each. The 17 points by Johnson giver her 1,097 for her career, moving her by UVA Wise Athletics Hall of Famer Rachel Clay for 15th on the school's all-time scoring list.
Crawford finished with her second consecutive double-double as the center scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Meanwhile, Vanzant kept her streak of scoring in double figures in each contest alive with a 13-point outing.
Mariah Mitchem (12), Ahlea Myers (11) and Lambert (10) joined Joyner in double figure scoring in the win.
Next up, UVA Wise will entertain Carson-Newman at the Prior Center Wednesday. Tip is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
