WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — Behind a career-high 18 points from Natalie Fox, William & Mary defeated Coppin State 72-65 for its fourth straight win on Saturday afternoon at Kaplan Arena. The Tribe dominated with 42 points in the paint and scored 23 points off the Eagles' 24 turnovers.

William & Mary (5-4) began the game at home against Coppin State (2-10) with a strong presence in the paint, scoring 14 points from that area in the first quarter. Despite trailing early, they tied the score at 4-4 with a jumper by Cassidy Geddes at 6:38. Fox contributed significantly, scoring a layup and a jumper, with her final basket bringing the Green and Gold within two points at 00:24. The quarter concluded with a pivotal fast-break layup by Alexa Mikeska, assisted by Geddes, evening the score at 17-17.

William & Mary surged ahead with a decisive run midway through the second quarter, highlighted by a series of key plays. Geddes played a pivotal role, scoring multiple jumpers to help turn a deficit into a lead at 6:47. Marley Long contributed with a timely tip-in that extended the advantage, while Fox added crucial points in the paint, extending their lead further. 

The Eagles struggled with turnovers, allowing W&M to capitalize by converting those opportunities into points. Ari Mercado's layup and free throw in the final seconds secured a commanding position. The quarter concluded with William & Mary leading 39-30, outscoring Coppin State 22-13 in the second quarter.

The Tribe maintained their advantage in the third quarter, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Dynasti Pierce at 9:32, assisted by Geddes, extending their lead to 42-30. Coppin State responded with a pair of 3-pointers by Khila Morris that narrowed the gap to 42-37, but William & Mary held steady.

Following defensive rebounds and aggressive play, William & Mary continued to score, with Geddes converting a layup at 4:50 and Alexa Mikeska adding another at 4:02, pushing the score to 49-39. The quarter ended with both teams scoring 12 points, maintaining William & Mary's lead at 51-42.

The Tribe maintained momentum in the fourth quarter with a critical 3-pointer by Monet Dance at 8:18, extending their lead. Mikeska's fast-break layup at 6:09, following her own steal, further solidified their position. Coppin State made a late push, narrowing the gap with back-to-back 3-pointers from Erin Henry, but W&M held firm. The decisive moments included a layup by Mikeska at 1:21, coupled with a successful free throw, keeping their edge. Monet Dance sealed the game with two free throws in the final seconds. The game concluded with William & Mary emerging victorious, 72-65.

STAT NUGGETS

• Mikeska totaled 11 points, five assists, and four steals.
• Geddes added 12 points with five dimes and four steals.
• Dance scored a dozen.
• Fox also chipped in four assists and four boards.
• The Tribe won second-chance points, 15-8.
• The four-game non-conference winning streak is W&M's longest since December 2016, when they won ten in a row.