Jahsha Bluntt showed why he is the two-time MEAC Player of the Year as he scored 16 of his 19 points in the second half to lead four players in double figures as Delaware State disposed of Coppin State, 68-49 in the quarterfinal round of the MEAC Tournament at the RBC Center.

The Number 1 seed Hornets (20-11) will take on the winner of Thursday’s Morgan State-South Carolina State game in Friday’s semifinal at 6 p.m.

Delaware State rode the early efforts of Darren Shine and Roy Bright in the first 20 minutes as they tallied 11 and 10, respectively. The Hornets shot 56 percent (15 of 27), including a sizzling 67 percent (8 of 12) from beyond the arc.

“Our game plan was to go inside-out,” said Delaware State Coach Greg Jackson, who was named Coach of the Year. “We wanted to get some easy baskets in the paint area and that would open up things on the perimeter.”.

The Number 8 seed Eagles (12-20) had no answer for Bluntt, who scored nine straight points during an 11-2 run that all but put the game away for the regular season champions.

“The intensity that Delaware State played with tonight was unlike any that we have seen all year,” observed Coppin State head coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell. “I think we learned a lot tonight from Delaware State about this level of play.”.

In addition to Bluntt’s scoring, Bright (15 points), Aaron Fleetwood (12 points) and Darren Shine (11 points, 7 assists) all contributed to the win. Troy Roundtree contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds as the starting five accounted for 62 of the 68 points.

Coppin State had problems manufacturing points as only Tywain McKee (14 points) was able to score in double figures.

“We only had three assists and that shows that we do not play team ball,” said Mitchell.