NSU Secure First 20 Win Season in 16 Years with Victory over Bethune-Cookman
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Pendarvis Williams and Kyle O'Quinn combined for 42 points to help Norfolk State secure its first 20-win season in 16 years with a 75-72 victory at Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at Moore Gymnasium.
Williams, who missed the team's previous game due to illness, poured in 22 points in his return to the lineup and O'Quinn scored 19 of his 20 points in the second half for the Spartans (20-9, 11-3 MEAC), who also tied the program record for MEAC wins in a season. NSU has won 11 MEAC games twice previously, in 2007-08 (11-5) and 2004-05 (11-7). NSU's last 20-win season was a 23-4 ledger in 1995-96, the program's next-to-last season in Division II.
It didn't come easily against the Wildcats (13-16, 9-5). Neither team led by more than seven points in the game, which featured 12 ties and 18 lead-changes. Both teams shot at least 50 percent from the floor, but the difference was a combined 33 second-half points from Williams and O'Quinn and NSU's 83 percent free throw shooting in the stanza.
Both teams struggled on the offensive end in the first half. NSU shot 36 percent from the floor (8-of-22) and BCU shot 37.5 percent (6-of-16) in the first period. But the Wildcats drew 13 first-half fouls from NSU, outscored the Spartans 10-4 from the foul line and saddled O'Quinn with two fouls, limiting the Spartans' center to just three minutes of playing time in the half.
Read more at NSUSpartans.com.
Hornets smother Bison for 10th Straight MEAC Win
DOVER, Del. - The Delaware State men's basketball team used a stifling defense to post its school-record 10th straight MEAC win, defeating Howard 63-46 in Memorial Hall this evening.
The Hornets won for the 10th time in the last 11 games to improve to 14-12 overall and 11-3 in MEAC play. The loss snapped a two-game win streak for the Bison, which fell to 9-20 and 6-10.
DSU held Howard to 33.3% shooting from the field (15-for-45), while recording 11 blocks and 11 steals in the contest. Marques Oliver tied a school record for the second time this season with eight blocks. The Hornets were fifth among all NCAA Div. I schools in blocks at 6.6 per game entering the contest.
Howard was 1-for-12 from three-point territory in the game (8.3%).
Jay Threatt contributed to the defensive effort with four steals. Threatt was tied for the Div. I lead in steals (3.0 pg) coming into Saturday's play.
Read more at DSUHornets.com.
Eagles Miss Opportunity in Second Loss to Tigers
SAVANNAH, Ga. - North Carolina Central University missed a golden opportunity against the surprising Tigers of Savannah State University dropping a 60-47 decision on Saturday afternoon at Tiger Arena in Savannah, Ga. after being held to just five field goals in the second half.
In this hotly contested ballgame, the Eagles and the Tigers went toe-to-toe early in the 12th matchup between these two programs. With the game tied at 4, SSU went on a quick 5-0 spurt, all scored by point guard Preston Blackman after being fouled attempting a three-pointer followed by a layup giving the Tigers the early 9-4 advantage.
NCCU swung right back following a Nick Chasten three-pointer that puts him five points away from joining the 1,000-point club making the score 16-15 in favor of SSU with 12:21 to go.
Over the next eight minutes, foul trouble and an offensive cold spell by the Eagles saw the Tigers pull out front with a 15-4 run giving SSU the 31-19 lead with 4:14 left.
Savannah State took a 36-25 lead into the locker room. NCCU went a dreadful 4-for-11 (36.4 percent) from the charity stripe to find itself down by double figures.
Read full story at NCCUEaglePride.com.
Bears turned away at UMES, 58-57
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Tonight Morgan State was on the wrong side of history.
Justin Black grabbed a long rebound and raced coast to coast for a layup and was fouled by Mark Robertson with 11.7 seconds left. Black's free throw gave the Bears a 57-56 lead. On the ensuing possession, Woods penetrated the lane and was fouled with 8.9 second remaining. Woods stepped up and hit both free throws to help seal a 58-57 win Saturday night for UMES Homecoming.
MSU's last shot attempt by Black ended up rimming out as UMES fans flooded the floor in excitement.
It was the first time since the 2001-02 season the Bears have been swept by MD-Eastern Shore.
Mark Robertson scored a career-high 22 points, including 7 of 13 3-pointers, to lead the Hawks (7-20, 4-10 MEAC), who held a 45-39 advantage on the boards and then turned away every rally after halftime to hold on.
The Bears had four players score in double-figures. Aric Brooks and Ian Chiles scored 11 points apiece and Kevin Thompson added 10 and Ameer Ali recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
UMES led for all but about five minutes, yet needed to play defense until the horn sounded to win and snap the Bears' two-game win streak.
Read full story at MorganStateBears.com.
Recaps to come:
Hampton 74, Florida A&M 59
N.C. A&T 79, South Carolina State 75