South Carolina State Downs Delaware State 64-59 in MEAC Tournament
WINSTON-SALEM, NC, March 8, 2011- WINSTON-SALEM, NC - South Carolina State senior Darnell Porter scored 15 points, including a crucial 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down with 3:10 remaining to lead the ninth-seeded Bulldogs to a 64-59 win over eighth-seeded Delaware State in opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at the Joel Coliseum Tuesday evening.
Porter's basket put Coach Tim Carter's team ahead 56-51 and the Bulldogs held on to advance to Wednesday's quarterfinals against top-seeded Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m.
Junior Joe Ikhinmwin came off the bench for 10 points and seniors Rio Pitt and Wesley Telfare added nine each in the win. Pitt also had a game-high nine rebounds, including a pivotal one off a Tyvon Williams miss of a one-and-one opportunity with 39.6 seconds remaining and SC State ahead 58-53.
The Bulldogs improved to 10-21 on the season with the victory, their four in the last six outings of and up-and-down season.
Delaware State's Jay Threatt had 20 points on 7-of-11 field goals from the field, including 4-6 from the 3-point line, to lead all scorers. Marques Oliver added 13 points and six rebounds and Casey Walker 12 points in the loss for the Hornets who fell to 9-21 and ended the season on an eight-game losing streak.
The Bulldogs, who led by just one, 30-29, at intermission, fell behind 38-36 when Walker nailed a 3-pointer with 14:38 left. But that would be the final lead for Jackson's team as Rio Pitt made one of two from the line and Telfare nailed a 3-pointer to ignite a 9-2 run that put the team from Orangeburg, SC out front 47-40 when reserve guard Tyvon Williams canned a jumper from behind the arc with 8:20 remaining.
Jackson took a quick timeout and the Hornets followed with an 11-4 spree that pulled Delaware State to within 53-51 on another Walker 3-pointer from the baseline with 3:43 on the clock.
Porter followed with his crucial 3-pointer with just a tick left on the shot clock to pad the SC State cushion to 56-51 at the 3:10 mark. The closest the Hornets came after that was three points, 62-59 when Trevor Welcher nailed a three-point basket with just 13 seconds to play. Omar Sanders got a layup for the Bulldogs for the final margin.
SC State's Carter expressed relief at getting by the Hornets, who edged the Bulldogs 62-60 on a buzzer-beating jumper by Threat in the only regular-season meeting of the two teams Jan. 10 in Orangeburg.
"I'm happy with the win," Carter said. "I thought we did a good job at times. But, I really thought we had several chances to break the game open in the second half, but we didn't. They rallied each time but we maintained a small margin and got the win. I thought we did a solid job in the last four minutes in our execution."
The Hornet's Jackson lamented the disappointing year his team had and gave the Bulldogs credit for a good effort against his squad.
"It has been a difficult season for us," Jackson said. We gave a good effort but South Carolina State played better down the stretch.
Maryland Eastern Shore Outlasts Florida A&M in Double Overtime, 87-85
WINSTON-SALEM, NC, March 8, 2011- Kevin White and Hillary Haley combined for 10 points in the second overtime to give Maryland Eastern Shore a hard-fought 87-85 win over Florida A&M in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament at the Joel Coliseum.
The Hawks (9-21), the Number 10 seed, advance to the quarterfinal round where they will play Hampton, the Number 2 seed on Wednesday at 9:30 pm.
The tone was set in the first half as the Rattlers (12-20), the Number 7 seed, took an early five-point lead, only to have the Hawks respond and take a 10-point lead at the 2:54 mark.
FAMU closed the half with a spurt to get within three at 30-27 at intermission. Lyvann Obame Obame of UMES led all scorers with 10 while Avery Moore led the Rattlers with six.
The second half was a test of wills and determination as both teams made runs. The Hawks maintained the advantage through most of the second half and appeared to have some breathing room when Haley and White helped the Hawks forge to a 55-47 lead with 6:24 on the clock.
The Rattlers went on an 11-3 run, spurred by the scoring of Yannick Crowder and Moore. Moore's 3-pointer from straight away finished off the run and have FAMU a 58-57 lead at the 3:40 mark.
From there, the two teams traded baskets. The Hawks led, 66-64 with just 21 ticks left on the clock. But Moore's leaner in the lane tied the score and sent it into the first overtime.
Larry Jackson and Chris Watson teamed to five the Rattlers a 74-70 lead with a minute remaining, but again the Hawks battled back on the Haley, who nailed a long three pointer and made one of two free throws to send the game into another extra frame.
Meanwhile, fatigue began to set in and the game became a combination of players fouling out and a parade to the foul line by both teams. There were a total of 62 fouls and 88 free throw attempts. Seven players fouled out, including four Hawk players.
With the entire front line on the bench, UMES head coach Frankie Allen went to a smaller lineup and moved Haley from his position on the wing to the block. The strategy paid off as Haley came up with big plays and White making his mark at the free throw line.
A free throw by Haley made it a two possession game at 85-79 with 14 seconds remaining. The Rattlers would not quit. Moore nailed a 3-pointer with 9.6 seconds. Dishawm Bradshaw followed with two free throws to make it 87-82. Moore ended the scoring at the buzzer with another 3-point basket.
White led all scorers with 22, Haley with 17 and Obame Obame and Tyler Hines with 12 and 11, respectively.
The Rattlers were led by Moore's 21, Jackson's 16 and Jeremy Dean's 10.