This year’s Morgan State women’s basketball team is different from the one a year ago. Four players returned for the Lady Bears but the rest of the squad are fresh faces.
Jihaya Chavis, Naomi Bolasingh, Kayla Horn and Adre’onia Coleman all have spent at least one year with head coach Ed Davis.
While getting adjusted to playing with a new group, the Lady Bears began the season 1-1 before going on an 11-game losing slump in non-conference play. They would snap the losing skid by defeating UMASS Lowell 61-49 at home.
The solid play of senior guard and forward Coleman has her breaking out as a playmaker for the Lady Bears.
She leads the team in four categories including scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.5 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game.
The Baltimore native earned her second MEAC honor this season as she was named MEAC Player of The Week in the first week of the new year. Coleman averaged a double-double for that week, shooting a combined 15-for-35 from the floor and posted 21 points and 14.5 rebounds. She began her double-double run with 18 points and 14 rebounds, to go along with two assists, two steals and a block against Maryland Eastern Shore (1/5).
Coleman hasn’t been the only one making plays for the Lady Bears.
Freshman Ashia McCalla has been a solid contributor. To help the Lady Bears secure their second victory of the season, McCalla had a 14-point nine rebound game falling short of a double-double. In the team’s MEAC opener, she had a game-high 18 points. The 5’6 guard is the team’s second leading scorer averaging 8.8 points per game while leading the team in made three’s.
“I’m just trying to step up and fill in the guard position, picking up on scoring and helping out on defense. Any way to help the team win,” said McCalla.
As the Lady Bears head into the conference portion of the season, they have picked up the intensity and is playing competitive basketball.
“We’re spreading the ball around now, Coleman isn’t the center of attention. We’re pushing to be a lot more aggressive on the defensive side, trying to keep opponents in the low 50’s. Competitively I like where we are,” said coach Davis.