HARTSVILLE — Newberry (7-6, 2-4 SAC) couldn’t quite find their footing in this conference matchup against Coker (6-6, 3-3 SAC) on Wednesday afternoon with a final score of 60-46.

Both teams struggled throughout the contest with turnovers on both sides of the ball.

This was a game of two halves as the Wolves entered halftime leading the Cobras 26-23. Newberry had fought their way back from a two-point deficit in the first period and held Coker to single digit scoring in the second.

Newberry worked to the free throw line and had success from there, seeing a 100% conversion rate in the first half. The foul count also leaned in favor of the Wolves, 9-to-1.

Offensive efficiency for Newberry gleamed as they shot 42% from the floor and 50% from behind the arc. As a team the Wolves had subdued a hot-handed Coker team to shooting 36 percent from the field.

The Cobras came out of halftime and pulled off a 7-0 run before a Newberry timeout was called. Meg Essex was sent to the free throw line coming out of the timeout in attempt to narrow the gap and stop the scoring drought.

Turnovers were still a problem for Newberry in the second half but the Wolves kept clawing back into the game. Courtney Lyons came off the bench to lead the charge putting up 12 points and going a perfect 2-for-2 at the charity stripe. Lyons ended the game with a total of 16 points, a block, two steals, an assist, and 100% free throw shooting all over 23 minutes.

Essex was a consistent option on the low block for the Wolves. She posted another double-double making for her fifth of the season and eighth of her career. Essex tallied 13 points, three blocks, two steals, an assist, and eleven rebounds.

Although Newberry fell short of a victory, as a team they won in the rebounds, assists, second chance points and bench points categories. The trends of this matchup were six ties and five lead changes, with Coker’s biggest margin coming in the final period with 12 points.

The Cobras had three of their starters in double-digits with Erin Houser leading the way with 16 points.

“This was another game where we struggled to score or find any consistency on offense,” said Head Coach Sean Page.“We were okay defensively but if you can’t score it is hard to win.”

Newberry will play the makeup double-header against Mars Hill at home in Eleazer Arena on Monday, Jan. 8 with tipoff of the women’s game at 4 p.m.

Meg Essex obtained her fifth double-double of the season.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/web1_Essex-Basketball.jpgMeg Essex obtained her fifth double-double of the season. Courtesy photo

Staff Report