BALTIMORE, Md. — Cheyney University women's basketball opened its 2026-27 season with a competitive road performance against NCAA Division I opponent Coppin State University on Monday evening, falling 80-69 at the Physical Education Complex. Despite the loss, the Wolves delivered their closest contest against the Eagles in a series of matchups dating back to 2011, highlighting the program's continued development under Head Coach Cassandra Taylor.
Cheyney remained competitive throughout the opening half, trailing 20-15 after the first quarter before adding 17 points in the second. The Wolves continued to challenge Coppin State offensively, entering halftime trailing 41-32. The Eagles extended their advantage to 62-47 after three quarters, but Cheyney responded with its strongest scoring period of the night, outscoring Coppin State 22-18 in the fourth to close the final margin to 11 points.
#1 Taniyah Finney led Cheyney's offensive effort with a team-high 19 points, connecting on five three-pointers while adding five assists and four steals. #32 Mikiyah Mallett delivered a dominant performance on the glass, recording a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 18 rebounds, including eight offensive boards.
The Wolves also received strong contributions from their bench. #12 Jiah Price finished with 14 points, shooting 5-of-9 from the field and connecting on three three-pointers. #5 Saniyah Washington added 12 points and four assists, giving Cheyney four players scoring in double figures.
Cheyney demonstrated efficiency from beyond the arc, shooting 40.7 percent from three-point range (11-of-27) while converting 87.5 percent of its free throws (14-of-16). The Wolves also recorded 13 steals and generated 19 points off turnovers, showcasing their ability to create scoring opportunities through defensive pressure.
The performance marked a significant improvement in the historical matchup between the two institutions. Coppin State previously defeated Cheyney 94-39 in 2011, 97-41 in 2012, and 75-43 in 2013, with margins ranging from 32 to 56 points. Monday's 11-point difference represents the closest result among those meetings, while Cheyney's 69 points marked its highest offensive output against the Eagles during that span.
Although Coppin State maintained an advantage on the boards, the Wolves demonstrated offensive balance, competitive resilience, and the ability to respond against Division I competition. Cheyney's fourth-quarter performance provided an encouraging indication of the team's potential as the season progresses.
Head Coach Cassandra Taylor will look to build on the experience gained from the season opener as Cheyney prepares for its next challenge. The Wolves return to action Wednesday, November 11, traveling to Philadelphia to face the Lincoln University Lions in a matchup between two of the nation's historic HBCU institutions.
The season opener provided Cheyney with an early opportunity to evaluate its strengths, identify areas for improvement, and establish a competitive foundation for the 2026-27 campaign.
