Junior forward LaKesha Wills scored a game-high 17 points and had a career-high 21 rebounds to lead Coppin State to a 63-49 victory over Morgan State in both teams' Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener last night at Hill Field House.

But judging from Wills' and her teammates' reaction afterward, they might have been the losers instead of the winners.

"I think we won by luck today, because we did not play our game at all," said Wills, who had 18 rebounds in the second half and shot 6-for-11 from the field. "We slacked off. We took the game for granted and we didn't play hard. We should have won by 40."

Coppin (4-2, 1-0 MEAC) won its second straight despite committing 36 turnovers. Senior guard Shamara Singleterry added 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting, and sophomore guard Denita Plain scored 10 points.

Wills (Dunbar), the Lady Eagles' leading scorer, fouled out with 1:52 remaining, but not before registering the fourth-highest rebound total in school history and the most since 1995.

Sophomore forward Mikea Williams scored a team-high 15 points on 6-for-13 shooting for Morgan (0-7, 0-1), which played its closest game of the season.

The Lady Bears, who have six freshmen, six sophomores and one junior on the roster, had lost their first six games by 55, 54, 23, 27, 44 and 29 points.

"We're progressing, but at the same time, a loss is a loss," Morgan's first-year coach, Angelyne Brown, said. "No matter how many you come across, you're still disappointed."

Coppin, which led by only 31-24 at the half, opened the second period with a 15-5 run to push its lead to 46-29 and then led 49-32 following a free throw by Wills with 8:30 to play. But Morgan fought back, cutting the deficit to 54-46 with 1:52 to play on a free throw by junior forward Erinn Coleman following a technical foul on Plain.

But on Coppin's next possession, Singleterry hit a three-pointer from the top of the key to put the game out of reach.

"We got a win, but we [didn't play well]," Singleterry said. "You've got to play hard the whole 40 minutes."

COPPIN STATE-Plain 3-5 2-2 10, Reese 0-4 0-0 0, Singleterry 5-10 2-2 15, Wills 6-11 5-9 17, Harry 2-3 3-5 7, Lewis 0-0 0-0 0, Abraham 0-0 0-0 0, Strickland 1-4 0-0 2, Williams 2-8 3-4 7, Tucker 2-4 1-2 5, Wilder 0-0 0-1 0. Totals 21-49 16-25 63.

MORGAN STATE-Haulcy 2-5 2-2 7, Turner 1-6 0-1 2, Coleman 2-6 5-7 9, Williams 6-13 3-4 15, Johnson 3-11 0-2 6, Vargas 1-5 0-0 2, Jackson 0-0 0-0 0, Cox 0-2 0-0 0, Henry 0-1 0-0 0, Carter 3-16 0-1 8, Warrick 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 18-66 10-17 49. Half-Coppin State, 31-24. 3-point goals-Coppin State 5-9 (Plain 2-3, Singleterry 3-5, Wills 0-1), Morgan State 3-12 (Haulcy 1-2, Turner 0-1, Carter 2-9). Fouled out-Wills, Johnson. Rebounds-Coppin State 56 (Wills 21), Morgan State 32 (Williams 6). Assists-Coppin State 5 (Plain, Wills 2), Morgan State 5 (Coleman 2). Technical foul-Plain. Total fouls-Coppin State 17, Morgan State 24. A-200.