CIAA: Western grad Breasia Coit finishes breakout season with award, strong tournament showing

In 2025, Breasia Coit was a true freshman, a year removed from Western High School, playing for Livingstone in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association tournament in her home city.

In that tournament the Blue Bears played just one game, and Coit, coming off the bench, played 13 minutes with four points and five rebounds. It was in line with a season in which the 6-foot-2 center averaged 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in just over 11 minutes per game.

This year, it was nearly triple the minutes, triple the impact for the Baltimore native, and Livingstone reaped the rewards.

“I’m more of a presence now. … I’m more involved,” Coit said. “Last year was a learning year. … This year we [lost] two of our biggest post players. I knew I was going to have to step up in that role. I know what I have to do, and I just do my best to do it.”

Coit played about 28 minutes per game in 2025-26, comfortably averaging a double-double with 13.1 points and 12.1 rebounds per game. She led the conference in rebounds by nearly three per game, and her two blocks per game ranked fourth in the CIAA, propelling her to the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Coit’s dominance inside created a physical identity for the Blue Bears, as Livingstone led the conference in rebounding. The Bears rode that dominance in their tournament opener Tuesday, a 59-46 win over Elizabeth City State.

Ahead of the game, Coit talked about playing in Baltimore again: “I’m excited. I’m very excited. Year 2, I’m doing way more than I did last year. I’m excited to show the people what I’ve gained over the season.”

The Blue Bears were down 16-3 at the first-quarter break, but they outrebounded Elizabeth City 55-29, with four players notching 10-plus boards, led by Coit’s 12.

On Wednesday night, the Bears matched up with Bowie State, a team that limited Coit to five points and 10 rebounds in the regular season. In a rematch of last year’s opening-round clash, Coit had four rebounds, a block and two points in the opening five minutes.

Livingstone rode that energy and went up 25-18 midway through the second quarter. However, Bowie State closed on a 15-0 run to retake the lead for good and ultimately won 72-51.

Coit hardly slowed down, securing her 19th double-double of the season in the third quarter despite smothering attention from Bowie State defenders.

“We wanted to make sure that the person who was on her … stayed attached to her the entire time,” Bowie State head coach Shadae Swan said. “Then, in the fourth quarter, I just told [my team] to send two people to box out. I said, ‘I don’t care what you do, two people have to go.’”

Coit finished with 14 points and 17 rebounds, playing 36 minutes, tied for her second most all season. It continued a strong close to her season, as she notched 35 rebounds, 10 blocks and 26 points in Livingstone’s final two regular-season games. Both were wins, including a victory over top-seeded Winston-Salem.

In Baltimore, Coit poured in 23 points and collected 29 rebounds over two tournament games.

“Being from here … [I was] a ball girl [at the CIAA tournament a few years ago, getting to see them in person before I ever got to be here,” Coit said after Wednesday’s loss. “Being able to not only play but win an award, it was kind of mind-blowing, because two years ago I wouldn’t have even believed that.”

The sophomore wrapped up a breakout campaign and will eye not only a step forward individually but also for her team in 2026-27. “Moving forward, looking to get better with my team. Get in the gym, work hard so we can go even further next year.”