November 15, 2011
Coker Set To Host UNCP In Season Opener On Tuesday
PEMBROKE – The UNCP women's basketball team will hit the road to battle region rival Coker in the 2011-12 regular season opener on Tuesday for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff at Timberlake-Lawton Gym in Hartsville, S.C.
The Lady Braves (0-0) finished the 2010-11 season with a 12-15 overall record and an 8-10 record in conference as well as fourth in the East Division, before being defeated in the first round of the PBC Tournament against then No. 4 Lander. Head Coach John Haskins returns for his eighth year as gaffer for the Black and Gold, and will bring a 94-101 career record as coach for the women's basketball squad.
Haskins brings back to the court eight returners including seniors DeDe Cotten and Domonique Washington, as well as six newcomers including three transfers and three freshmen. UNCP played three preseason scrimmages prior to Tuesday's game and look to open the regular season on the winning side of things. The Lady Braves were tabbed to finish sixth in the Peach Belt Conference the league announced in October despite graduating four starters from last season.
Coker (0-1) suffered its season opening loss to Lynn on Saturday as the Lady Cobras fell 74-90 at home. Junior Amber Lau was the leading scorer with 25 points and five rebounds, while Jessica Cohen and Kelley Godbout posted 13 and 11 points, respectively. Jenny Finora continues into her second season as the head coach for Coker and looks to get her team back to the .500 mark.
UNCP and Coker will meet for the 14th time on Tuesday in a series in a series controlled by the Lady Braves. The Black and Gold will bring a 12-1 series advantage going into the game, as well as a 10-game winning streak. Last season, Washington led the way for UNCP with 14 points as the Lady Braves defeated Coker, 77-54, in the season opener in the English E. Jones Center in Pembroke.
