Morgan State used a 16-2 run over the first six minutes of the second half to pull off a 69-51 win over Howard Saturday night at Bur Gymnasium. It was the third straight loss for the Bison while the Bears improved to 10-8 overall and 5-1 in the MEAC.

Howard stayed closed through the first half and trailed 29-23 at intermission. Junior guard Eugene Myatt (eight points) and sophomore center Paul Kirkpatrick (six points) combined to lead the Bison while Jamar Smith paced the Bears with 12.

Marquise Kately and Smith combined for 14 of Morgan State’s points during the key run that opened a 45-25 lead at the 14:12 mark.

“They (Morgan State) had more focus than we did,” said Howard Coach Gil Jackson. “They played hard with a sense of urgency and they understand what it’s all about. We had a chance, but we did not make the most of it.”

The Bison were able to get back into the game as they reeled off a 21-10 run that narrowed the margin to 55-46 with almost six minutes left to play. The rally was fueled by the play of Myatt, junior forward Randy Hampton and senior guard Jeron Smith, who combined to score 16 of the 21 points.

But the Bears took advantage of some Howard miscues and ran off a 12-2 spurt that all but decided the outcome.

?That comes from a lack of experience and losing composure,” explained Jackson. “We’re still trying to do it individually and not as a team. We have more confidence in ourselves as individuals than we do as a team.”

The Bison were again hurt by three key statistical categories: points-in-the-paint, points-off-turnovers and bench production. Morgan State won all three, 46-32 on points-in-the-paint, 25 points off turnovers and 30-13 in bench points.

“It’s been a real tough year and today was a tough game,” said Hampton, who led the Bison with 16 points and nine rebounds despite wearing a mask to protect his injured nose during the game. “It is disappointing to lose at home like this, but we have a chance to redeem ourselves on Monday.”

Myatt finished with 11 for Howard while Jeron Smith tallied eight off the bench.

Jamar Smith of Morgan State led all scorers with 26 points and Kately added 14 off the bench.