BALTIMORE, Md. (March 6, 2025)--Naya Ojukwu scored a team-high 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds, while Ja'la Bannerman added 12 points to lead Morgan State past crosstown rival Coppin State, 59-54 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular season finale at PEC Arena.
 
Morgan State, which improved to 13-16 overall, 6-8 in the MEAC, closed out the regular season on a two-game winning streak. Coppin State, which dropped its final two games, fell to 17-13, 8-6 MEAC and ended the regular season dropping its final four home contests.
 
Coppin State was led by Laila Lawrence, who scored a game-high 18 points and added a game-high 18 rebounds to record the double-double. Angel Jones tallied a game-high 18 points.
 
With the Lady Bears' win, the two teams would split the season series, each winning on the other's home floor. Morgan State also ended a three-game losing skid to the Eagles and now leads the all-time series, 48-46.
 
Ojukwu tallied a game-high four steals and a game-high five blocks, while Emily Jones scored a career-high 10 points and Gabrielle Johnson finished with a game-high seven assists, as the Lady Bears spoiled Coppin's Senior Night and a chance to wrap up sole possession of third place and possibly the No. 3 seed in the next week's MEAC Tournament.
 
"The Morgan-Coppin rivalry has always been more than a game for me; it's a testament to our hard work, dedication, and the pride we take in representing our programs," said Emily Jones. "Getting this game back from Coppin after we lost to them at home this season, especially on their Senior Night was big. Not only for our team's momentum into the tournament, but for our fans and school."
 
Maryland Eastern Shore, who was also vying for third place, was at Delaware State on Monday. That contest had not finished at the time of this release.
 
Ojukwu got the Lady Bears going, scoring nine of Morgan's 10 first quarter points, as the host Eagles held a 12-10 lead after one quarter of play.
 
In typical Morgan-Coppin fashion, neither team could pull away. Coppin State held a 24-19 advantage, following a jumper by Lawrence with 2:55 left in the second quarter. But the Lady Bears would not go away, as they responded with eight straight points to take a 27-24 lead. Morgan carried a slim 27-26 lead into the locker room.
 
Danie McTeer scored on a layup and added the free throw with 7:07 left in the third quarter to give the hosts a 34-29 lead. Morgan again would respond, this time using a 12-2 spurt to take a 41-36 advantage with 3:48 remaining.
 
Lawrence would then go on her own personal run, scoring six straight points to bring the Eagles within 43-42 after three quarters of play.
 
Tied at 48 all, following a jumper by Angel Jones with 7:38 left in the contest, Morgan State put together one final run, which this time proved to be the knockout blow.
 
Dakota Alston scored on a layup and added a three-pointer to give Morgan State a quick five-point lead at 53-48. Jones scored on a layup to end the run, but Bannerman hit one of two at the free throw line and added a layup to extend the Lady Bears' lead to 56-50 with 3:53 left.
 
The Eagles got a layup from Cire Worley and two free throws from Angel Jones to pull Coppin within 56-54 with 2:18 left in the game.
 
That would be the last points for the Eagles, as Emily Jones, playing in her final Morgan-Coppin game, closed out the game connecting on 3-of-4 at the line for the 59-54 victory.
 
"Defeating Coppin in my final regular season game is incredibly special. To cap off my career against such a fierce rival and set a career high in the process is a moment I'll cherish forever," said Emily Jones. "It feels rewarding to leave my mark on this rivalry, and I couldn't have done it without my amazing teammates and coaching staff who supported me throughout the journey."

Morgan State will now turn its focus to the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament (March 12-15) in Norfolk, Va., at the Norfolk Scope Arena.

 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.