Women's Basketball 2/19/2008 5:00:00 AM MEAC Media Relations

COPPIN STATE BREEZES PAST LADY RATTLERS, 85-64

The Coppin State Lady Eagles turned on the juice in the second half to breeze to an 85-64 MEAC women’s basketball victory over the shorthanded Florida A&M Lady Rattlers Monday evening in Gaither Gymnasium.

Coppin State (15-11, 9-3 in MEAC) struggled a bit early against FAMU, which went into Monday’s game with just eight players due to injuries, but eventually began to assert control, building an 11-point lead on a layup by Rashida Suber, 23-12, with 10:01 left in the half.

Florida A&M went on a 20-10 closing run led by Joslyne Jackson, Denise Tate, Q’Vaunda Curry and Kirsten Stallings, pulling to within one point, 33-32 at the break.

In the second half, the Lady Eagles caught fire, outpacing FAMU, 52-32, as they shot 60 percent (24 of 40) from the floor to 30.3 percent (10 of 33) by FAMU.

Coppin State rebuilt their lead to 10 points within the first four minutes of the second half and were never threatened after that as their advantage grew to 20 or more in the final six minutes of the game.

The Lady Rattlers were led by Stephanie Foster with 13 points and eight rebounds, along with Joslyne Jackson, who also tallied 13 points. Thyeis Halley added 12 points, while Denise Tate finished with a game-high 13 rebounds.

Coppin State had five players score in double figures Monday, led by Shalamar Oakley with 25 points and nine rebounds. Danielle Anders finished with a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, while Rashida Suber had a double-double as well, with 13 points and 10 assists. Whitney Cunningham and Jennifer Martin each added 12 points.

Florida A&M (11-13, 2-9) has dropped 12 of their last 14 games after starting 9-1 prior to Christmas.

WHAT’S NEXT: Florida A&M hits the road for a two-game set beginning Saturday at Maryland-Eastern Shore (4:00 p.m.) in Princess Anne. Maryland, followed by a Monday night battle against Delaware State (7:30) in Dover, Delaware.