Hot-Shooting Bears Topple Coppin State 80-51

BALTIMORE -- Junior Michael Murray scored 13 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, but Justin Black scored a game-high 23 points and Morgan State shot 57.1 percent from the floor on its way to an 80-51 MEAC victory over Coppin State on Saturday in the Physical Education Complex.

Morgan State (7-13, 4-5 MEAC) shot 50.8 percent from the floor and posted the most lopsided victory in the series since the Bears beat Coppin State 78-50 in 2007.

Coppin State (5-20, 2-8 MEAC) shot just 21.2 percent from the floor in the first half as Morgan State held a 46-18 lead at halftime.

Murray was the only Eagle to reach double figures in scoring as he finished the game 5-of-14 from the floor. Taariq Cephas had nine points and three assists and Sterling Smith scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.

DeWayne Jackson added 16 points for Morgan State, while Ian Chiles had nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots.

For the complete story, visit www.coppinstatesports.com or www.morganstatebears.com

NCCU Eeks Out Tenth Straight Victory With Win Over Florida A&M

DURHAM, N.C. - It was an offensive struggle inside the confines of McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium but the Eagles of North Carolina Central prevailed en route to an 51-43 victory over the Rattlers of Florida A&M on Saturday afternoon.

The ninth meeting between these two squads went back-and-forth with four times and seven lead changes through the first frame.

The Eagles hit clutch free throws down-the-stretch and never looked back squeaking out the 51-43 victory.

Defense keyed the Eagles in this one as Florida A&M shot just 28.6 percent from the field, while the maroon and gray shot 33.3 percent from the field (15-for-45), its worst performance since shooting 22.6 percent in a 38-36 loss to Wagner on Nov. 24.

Jeremy Ingram led all scorers with 18 points and seven rebounds while going 9-for-11 from the charity stripe. Stanton Kidd chipped-in 15 points and five rebounds.

Emanuel Chapman  ended the night with nine helpers, giving him 362 career assists which places him third all-time at NCCU on the career assists list. He needs just four more to tie former Eagle Bryan Ayala (2005-09) for second all-time at 366.

FAMU (6-17, 3-6 MEAC) had two student-athletes in double figures led by Muhammad Abdul-Aleem's 13 points, while Jamari Bradshaw ended up with 11 points in the loss.

For the complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.famuathletics.com


Bulldogs Fall Short Of Knocking Off Tigers

SAVANNAH, Ga.- Despite, a hard fought battle down the stretch the South Carolina State Bulldogs fell short, 50-46, of snapping their 14-game losing streak to the Tigers of Savannah State Saturday at Tiger Arena.

This was the first debut for newly appointed head coach Murray Garvin, who took over the program after former coach Tim Carter resigned after six years at the helm.

Free-throws proved to be the deciding factor down the stretch as senior guard Preston Blackmon tossed in two crucial free-throws with 0:23 seconds left to put the Tigers ahead three, 49-46. Savannah State held on to claim a 50-46 victory over South Carolina State.

Despite, 16 costly turnover by the Bulldogs and 10 lead changes throughout the entire game, SC State out-rebounded Savannah State 37-33 but only shot 6-of-15 (40%) from the charity stripe.  The Tigers took advantage and shot 15-of-24(62.5%) from the line.

The Bulldogs was led by senior Khalif Tooombs with 12 points and six assits, while teammate Matthew Hezekiah finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Tigers were led by senior forward Arnold Louis with the games only double-double in 14 points and 15 rebounds.

For the complete story, visit www.ssuathletics.com or www.scsuathletics.com