Tywain McKee converted four free throws in the last 1:33 to lead Coppin State to a 67-65 win over Norfolk State in the semifinal round of the MEAC men’s game at the RBC Center. The Eagles (15-20), the Number 7 seed, will take on interstate rival Morgan State, the Number 1 seed on Saturday at 8 pm. The game will be televised live on ESPN Classic.

Coppin State, which has won 11 of its last 12 after starting the season 4-19, took control of the game early against the Spartans (16-15), the Number 3 seed, and led, 34-26 at the half. The Eagles were riding the wave of a miraculous overtime win over Hampton, the Number 2 seed in which they trailed by a 15-point margin at halftime.

“We knew going into the game, we have to play defense,” said Coppin State Coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell. “All year long, it has been our mindset to get here and move on. We really buckled down down the stretch and got some stops when we needed them.”

Coppin State established itself by controlling the boards, 24-14 and getting balanced scoring from four players, who had between 6 and 8 points.

The Eagles maintained a seemingly comfortable lead through the first seven minutes, extending the deficit to 11. Then Norfolk State made some adjustments and went on an 18-6 run led by All-MEAC selection Tony Murphy, who scored 15 of his team-high 20 points in the second half, five on 3-pointers.

From there, the two teams slugged it out with McKee and Murphy almost single-handedly carrying their teams. After Michael DeLoach’s two free throws gave the Spartans a 65-63 lead, McKee was heard to shout to his team, “We’re not going home; let’s go.” They must have listened to their leader because the Eagles played rock solid defense and Norfolk State did not score again. McKee fulfilled his end of the pact, calmly knocking down the four free throws that sent his team into the finals.

“Leadership is always important,” said Mitchell. “Both Antwan Harrison and McKee did a good job in keeping our guys straight, keeping their heads in the game.”

The Spartans hurt themselves at the free-throw line where they missed six down the stretch. Norfolk State did a big production from its bench, outscoring the Eagles, 29-8. Michael DeLoach and Joseph Dorsett contributed 15 and 12, respectively off the bench and Corey Lyons had 10.

“If we had made a few more free throws, things may have been different,” said first year head coach Anthony Evans. “We missed some down the stretch that had we been successful, we could have put the game away. That came back to haunt us.”

Morgan State and Coppin State met twice during the season and the Bears won both games including a close win in the regular season finale that snapped the Eagles’ eight game win streak.

“It’s very simple for me,” said Mitchell. “I have so much respect for Todd Bozeman and what he has done for that program in a short time. I expect it to be a tough battle, but we will be prepared. It’s a rivalry, but you are also playing for a championship.”