Copping State and Delaware State: Could the Lady Bison Stay undefeated in the MEAC?

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — January 16th, 2004

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Copping State and Delaware State: Could the Lady Bison Stay undefeated in the MEAC?

The contribution of freshman Melloni Benson and Christina Aden led the Lady Bison to an impressive win last Saturday over the Bears of Morgan State. At 2-0 in conference play, they headed into two MEAC games in three days earlier this week. 

First to take the court at Burr Gymnasium were the Lady Eagles of Coppin State who had a 2-3 MEAC record and recently lost a close game to Delaware State last weekend. 

Within the first few minutes, it appeared as though it was going to be a close game until the final buzzer. However, at the 13:48 mark, the Lady Eagles took a one point led with a Leisel Harry lay up. 

For the remainer of the half, the Lady Bison played catch as the Lady Eagles built and maintained a 13-point lead going into the half. 

Head Coach Cathy Parson's put it simply, "Comeback two by two." 

It wasn't Coach Parson, but the inspiration of injured teammate Essence Coggins who motivated Shauna Ruglass to what Parson called, "the best game of her life."

Coppin continued where they left off in the first half and the Lady Eagles took their lead to 17-points with 12:50 left to play.

Parson's strategy was realized as the Lady Bison began chipping away at the lead two points at a time mainly because of the performance of Ruglass who ended with a game high 24-points and 15 rebounds. 

"I saw a level of aggression in Shauna I haven't seen," said Parson.

Ruglass surprised herself.

She said that prior to the game against Coppin State she watch a tape of her first day of practice as a freshman. Ruglass confessed that Parson was still correcting her for things she did during her rookie season. 

Watching the tape proved to be beneficial, but Ruglass said modesty, "I couldn't have done it without my team."

The Howard comeback wasn't purely offensive. 

"I would love to press for 40 minutes, but you have to condition your team," explained Parson. "At no time did they make us say we have to get out of the press".

The Lady Bison's press defensive forced the Lady Eagles to turn the ball over 34 times, not to mention a streak of seven missed lay ups that would have sealed the Coppin State victory. 

Disgusted, Head Coach Derek Brown responded, "We stuck. We worked on it in practice, but we couldn't take care of the pressure."

Monique Lewis expressed her feelings of discontent and said, "We were playing not to lose. We totally played uncharacteristic of ourselves and a lot of us lost concentration." 

Coppin's missed lay ups late led to quick fouls sending Daisha Hicks to the line for five consecutive free throws ultimately gaving the Lady Bison the lead and the win, 59-57

Both Parson and Ruglass shared their praise of Hicks

"She's special," said Parson. "At critical times she shows her heart."

"Daisha is always a clutch player. No matter what she stays positive," said Ruglass.

After a stunning comeback, Parson warned they couldn't have the same type of game against Delaware State.

"DSU beat Coppin. We can't get behind, we have to play nip and tuck."