Hampton
Wins Back-to Back MEAC Titles
Source: meacsports.com
Mar 13, 2004
RICHMOND, Va. (March 12) –Sharema Dean poured in a game-high
25 points and Keisha Beard added 22 to lead four players in double
figures as Hampton University pulled away to a 76-58 win over
Coppin State in the semifinals of the 2004 Dodge Mid-Eastern Athletic
Conference game at the Richmond Coliseum.
The Lady Pirates (16-12), the Number 2 seed and defending tournament
champions, will take on Delaware State, the Number 1 seed in the
championship game at 4 p.m. The game will air live on MBC.
Neither team could get a flow early in the sloppily played affair
that featured more turnovers (51) than field goals (43). The Lady
Eagles trailed 25-22 at the half.
But Hampton had too much firepower in Dean, the MEAC Rookie of
the Year, who hit on 7 of 11 from the field and added 5 assists
and 5 steals and Beard, who connected on 9 of 15 and led all rebounders
with 10.
Early in the game, we were having problems because we kept turning
the ball over,” said Hampton Coach Patricia Bibbs. “Coppin
State is a tough team to play because they are very aggressive.”
She continued, “But in the second half, our defense was
able to force some turnovers and we were able to get some easy
baskets in transition.”
The Lady Pirates’ defense converted Coppin State turnovers
into 28 second half points. Nicole Brathwaite (10 points, 6 rebounds)
and Brendy Ellis (11 points, 10 coming in the second half) were
the beneficiaries.
The Lady Eagles (18-11), the Number 3 seed had problems scoring,
particularly their all-conference center, Leisel Harry, who failed
to score in the first half and ended up with 3 points. Sherrie
Tucker led Coppin State with 23, Antoinette Reese chipped in with
13 and Courtney Strickland contributed 12.
“We tried to get the ball inside to Leisel, but they did
a good job of denying her the ball,” said Coppin State Coach
Derek Brown. “It forced us to shoot more from the perimeter
than we wanted.”
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