Norfolk State Outlasts Coppin State in MEAC Basketball Tournament, 55-53

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Rob Hampton's driving lay-up with two seconds remaining gave sixth-seeded Norfolk State a 55-53 victory over third-seeded Coppin State Thursday in the MEAC Basketball Tournament quarterfinals at Joel Coliseum.

The Spartans (11-19) will meet second-seeded Hampton in the semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. Coppin State concluded its season 16-14.

Norfolk State saw a 29-20 halftime lead turn into a 51-44 deficit with 6:44 remaining, but the Spartans used a 7-0 run to tie it on a Marcos Tamares rebound basket with 3:48 remaining.

Coppin State regained the lead at 53-51 on two Antonio Kucinskas free throws with 3:23 remaining, but Rodney McCauley sank two from the line to tie it again at the 1:03 mark.

 Norfolk State's first attempt at the game-winner went awry when Pendarvis Williams missed a three-pointer, but Aleek Pauline snagged the offensive rebound to give the Spartans another opportunity.

"Rob saw an opening, drove and made a tough shot," said Norfolk State coach Anthony Evans. "That was a great game, hard fought by both teams. It was great to go up against [Coppin State coach Fang Mitchell]. He's like a mentor to me."

Williams led the Spartans with 11 points, while Kyle O'Quinn double-doubled with 10 points and 13 rebounds.  Hampton also scored 10.

"We drew up the same play earlier and they [Coppin State] played it well," Hampton said about the game-winner. "When I saw they were overplaying, I saw a wide-open lane down the middle. I figured if I was going drive, I'd get two free throws or make the lay-up."

In the first half, the Spartans held the Eagles to 25.8 shooting from the field as they took a 24-13 lead on a Hampton jumper with four minutes to play. Hampton had eight first-half points, while Pauline scored seven on 3-4 shooting from the field.

Antonio Williams had nine points and nine rebounds to lead Coppin State.

"Norfolk State was nothing like we played earlier this year," said Mitchell. "We had a lot of breakdowns down the stretch. They made their layups and we missed ours."

The victory sends the Spartans to the semifinals for the fourth time in its 13 years in the MEAC. 

Morgan State's Thompson Dominant In Win Over North Carolina A&T

Winston-Salem, NC-March 10--Kevin Thompson  came off the bench to pour in a game-high 24 points, along with 12 rebounds and three blocks to help Morgan State defeat North Carolina A&T, 77-59 in the quarterfinal round of the MEAC Men's basketball tournament at the Joel Coliseum.  The Bears (16-13), the Number 4 seed, advance to the semifinal round where they will play Bethune-Cookman, the Number 1 seed at 6 p.m.

Thompson set the tone early in the first half, connecting on all six of his shots from the floor to score 18 points and give Morgan State the 43-33 advantage at the intermission.

 "I am proud of Kevin and the way he played," said Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman.  "He has been hurt lately and he was anxious to redeem himself."

North Carolina A&T head coach Jerry Eaves offered his take on the play of Thompson, the MEAC Preseason Player of the Year and All-Conference selection. "Thompson had a huge night.  That gave them a big boost. My hat is off to him and the Morgan State Bears."

With the Aggies (15-17) concerned about Thompson's inside presence, it opened up things for other Bear players.  Aric Brooks and DeWayne Jackson each scored 11 points in the win. As a team, Morgan State shot 50-percent from the floor (26-of-52).

The Bears defense was especially effective, forcing the Aggies to miss 33 shots, including 13 from the 3-point line, one of their staples.

 "It seemed like we were able to get some good looks but they would not fall," lamented Eaves.  "I can't count how many shots went in and came out.  And then we hurt ourselves with 15 turnovers.  It was very frustrating to get to this point in the season and not play well."

The Bears entered the game on a three-game losing streak.  But Bozeman says he nor the team ever wavered.

 "We had good practices this week and I felt the confidence of the team," said Bozeman, who has led Morgan State to three straight regular season and two tournament titles.  "They were anxious to get out here and redeem themselves."               

The Aggies were led by Thomas Coleman, an All-MEAC first-team selection, who tallied 14 points and Marc Hill, who contributed 10 points.