Donald Johnson came off the bench to score a game-high 20 points and Roy Bright added 18 and 11 rebounds, but it was Trevor Welch’s eight-foot bank shot following a miss that lifted Delaware State to a 64-62 win over North Carolina A&T State in the quarterfinals of the MEAC men’s tournament at the RBC Center.
The Hornets (14-15), the Number 4 seed, will take on Morgan State, the Number 1 seed, in the semifinals on Friday at 6 p.m.
The game was a well played contest that featured 15 lead changes and five ties with the biggest lead being at eight. Delaware State led 36-33 at the half on the strength of some outstanding outside shooting from Bright and Johnson, who combined for 21 points on 6 of 10 shooting from beyond the stripe.
“Johnson is one of the best shooter that I have ever coached,” said Delaware State Coach Greg Jackson. “He is a great shooter and you saw what happens when he gets shots.”
Added Johnson, who was two points shy of his career high, “My teammates did a good job of getting me shots in rhythm. I was glad I was able to contribute to this win.”
The Aggies (15-16), the Number 5 seed, got an equally impressive effort from Austin Ewing, who was 4 of 5 from 3-point range for 12 points.
The second half featured more of the same as the momentum shifted back and forth. Delaware State appeared to be in good shape when it took a 59-53 lead at the 5:04 mark by Johnson.
The Aggies countered, however with a 7-0 run over a three-minute stretch that gave them a brief lead at 60-59. The Hornets regained the lead at 61-60 on a Bright jumper. Kyle White made one of two free throws to make it 62-60 with 28 seconds remaining.
Jason Wills later converted on two free throws to tie the score at 62 with 17 seconds remaining. That set up the potential game-winning play for Bright, whose range is unlimited. The 6-5 senior launched a 23 footer from the left side that hit the backboard and ricocheted to the right side where Welcher gathered it in and banked it off the glass.
North Carolina A&T inbounded the ball but failed to get off a shot before the buzzer sounded.
One of the keys to the Hornets’ win was their success in holding the Aggies’ leading scorer and first team All-MEAC selection Steven Rush, who finished with 5 points, 10 under his average.
“He (Rush) is the biggest key in the game and the fact that we were able to hold him was big,” said Coach Jackson.
The Hornets dropped both regular season games to Morgan State, including a 39-36 yawner late in the season.
“Morgan State is a great team that is well coached,” said Jackson. “They beat us twice this season. We will have to play for 40 minutes and make them play our game.”