Mars Hill defeated by Coker on the road

HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball lost to Coker, 93-64, on the road Saturday afternoon. Sheena Johnson led the Lions with 17 points.

Tied at nine with 6:51 remaining in the first period, Coker began a 10-2 run over a span of four minutes to build a lead that Mars Hill would be unable to catch for the remainder of the contest. Sydney Shull accounted for six of the 10 points with two made 3-pointers. Shull would add another three points before the end of the first, helping Coker carry a 23-15 lead into the second period.

Coker continued their hot start, opening the second frame on a 10-4 run to extend their lead to 14 points. Janae Williams scored the first six points of the period. The Lions would put together an offensive push with 5:21 remaining in the half with a 3-pointer from Mariah Johnson followed by a jump shot by by Sheena Johnson to cut the lead back down to 10 points. For the final five minutes, both teams would trade points back and forth, but ultimately, Coker would not allow the lead to go below double-digits and would head into the half up 46-36.

The Johnson duo were responsible for 15 of the Lions points and Shayla Smith led the team with seven rebounds in the opening 20 minutes. 

Erin Houser had a game-high 13 points, shooting 50 percent from the field (5-10) and pulling down five rebounds. 

The Lion offense went dry in the first five minutes of the third period as Coker opened up the second half on a 15-0 run. With 4:42 left in the period, Cierra Hampton's made jump shot snapped the streak and gave Mars Hill its first basket of the half. Trailing 68-40 with 2:26 left in the period, Mars Hill would end the third on a 9-3 run.

Sheena Johnson would score seven of the Lions' fourth period points, but the Cobras would pull away for their fourth win of the season. Coker would outscore the Lions 22-15 to end the contest with a 93-64 win.

Four Cobra players finished with more than 10 points, led by Shull and Houser's 17 apiece. Williams added 12, followed by Hannah Shull's 10 points. Houser would collect 11 rebounds for the double-double.

Smith pulled down a team-high nine rebounds for the Lions and added four points. Gabby Gianikos assisted on four baskets for a team-high in the contest.

Coker improves to 4-6 (1-3 SAC) while Mars Hill falls to 1-11 (0-5 SAC).

The Lions return to Stanford Arena on Monday, December 18 for a 1 p.m. matinee contest against Lees-McRae.