The Coppin State men's basketball team lost its home opener to Rider, 64-53, despite strong performances from Toby Nnadozie and Derrius Ward, who each scored 18 points. The loss drops Coppin State's record to 0-3 for the season, while Rider improves to 2-1. Nnadozie recorded a season-high with four 3-pointers, while Ward contributed significantly but struggled with free throws. The rest of the team's scoring was limited, yielding only 17 points combined. Rider outperformed Coppin in shooting and rebounding, capitalizing on a size advantage.

By the Numbers
  • Toby Nnadozie: 18 points, 7-of-12 shooting, 4 three-pointers.
  • Derrius Ward: 18 points, 7-of-17 shooting, 4-of-8 free throws, 6 rebounds.
  • Rider outshot Coppin State 44.7% to 34.4%.
  • Rider had a 41-32 rebounding advantage.
Yes, But

While Nnadozie and Ward led in scoring, their individual efforts were overshadowed by the team's overall inefficiency and lack of depth. The significant disparity in shooting percentages and rebounding reflects ongoing issues that may need addressing for Coppin State to compete more effectively in future games.

State of Play
  • Coppin State remains winless at 0-3 this season.
  • This matchup marked their home opener, indicating early struggles as the season unfolds.
  • The team faces another challenge with a matchup against Virginia shortly after this loss.
What's Next

Coppin State quickly shifts focus to a game against Virginia on November 11. The team will need to enhance its offensive strategy and rebounding efforts to turn its season around and secure its first win.

Bottom Line

Coppin State's home opener loss underscores critical areas for improvement, particularly in shooting and rebounding. Moving forward, the Eagles must leverage their talented players effectively and find ways to boost overall team performance if they hope to compete in the upcoming matches.