Eagles move to top of MEAC with gritty win over Morgan State
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University trailed Morgan State University by as many as 13 points in the second half, but NCCU junior forward Karamo Jawara’s free throw with less than a second remaining lifted the Eagles to a dramatic 53-52 come-from-behind victory on Monday night in front of a boisterous crowd inside McDougald-McLendon Gym in Durham, N.C.
NCCU extends its home win streak to 19 games and, thanks to a Savannah State loss to Norfolk State on Monday, the Eagles grab sole possession of first place in the MEAC with a 5-1 conference record.
Jeremy Ingram finished the contest with a game-high 20 points for NCCU (14-5, 5-1 MEAC), while Jawara added 13 points and six rebounds for the Eagles. NCCU junior center Jay Copeland added seven points and six boards, senior point guard Emanuel Chapman stuffed the stat sheet with four points, six caroms, six assists and four steals, and junior guard Jordan Parks came off the bench to grab a team-best eight rebounds.
The Eagles bounced back from a poor-shooting first half, connecting on just 8-of-28 field goals (28.6 percent) in the opening 20 minutes, to convert 11-of-25 shots (44.0 percent) in the second half.
Morgan State (6-12, 4-2 MEAC) was topped by senior guard Justin Black with 17 points, four rebounds, five steals and four assists. Black, who entered the contest as the MEAC’s third-leading scorer, netted 14 points by intermission, but was held to just three points on 1-for-4 shooting in the second half. Ian Chiles contributed eight points and a team-high eight boards for the Bears.
After five straight home games, NCCU hits the road on a six-game win streak to face Howard University on Saturday, Feb. 1 in Washington, D.C.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.morganstatebears.com
Hornets stumble late, fall in overtime to NJIT
DOVER, Del. --- The Delaware State men’s basketball team led by seven points with a minute-and-a half to play in regulation, but failed to hold on in a 65-59 non-conference overtime loss to NJIT (New Jersey Tech) in Memorial Hall this evening.
The Hornets (4-15) were outscored 16-10 in overtime en route to their fifth straight loss. The Highlanders snapped a three-game losing streak to improve to 9-13 this season.
Jake Duncan led five NJIT players in double figures with 19 points. His performance was highlighted by five three-point field goals (5-9). Ky Howard added 13 points and Damon Lynn 12 for the Highlanders.
Kendall Gray was high scorer for the Hornets with 14 points and led all players with 12 rebounds. He also had four blocks to give him 12 in the last two games. Gray has a team-high six double-doubles this season. Casey Walker chipped in 13 points for the Hornets. He has reached double figures in scoring in each of the last eight games.
Delaware State outshot NJIT 42.9 percent to 31.5 percent for the game. The Hornets were 18-for-42 from the field, while the Highlanders were 17-of-54.
NJIT knocked down eight three-point field goals (8-30) to just two for Delaware State (2-8).
Free throw shooting also played a factor in the game. NJIT was 23-for-29 from the line (79.3 percent), while the Hornets were 21-of-34 (61.8 percent).
Delaware State returns to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play this weekend with a visit to Morgan State on Saturday (Feb. 1). Game time is 4:00 p.m. in Baltimore, Md.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com
Late Run Helps Spartans Down Savannah State
SAVANNAH, Ga. – Down by eight with six minutes to go, the Norfolk State men’s basketball team used a 14-0 run late in the game to help take a 56-49 win over Savannah State on Monday night at Tiger Arena in front of an ESPNU audience.
The Spartans found themselves in trouble when the Tigers finally got their offense going and went on a 13-2 run for a seven-point edge. A 3-pointer by Keierre Richards with 6:19 to go pushed the Tiger lead to eight, 47-39.
That was the when the Spartans finally put the final clamps down on the defensive side of the ball. NSU closed out the game on a 17-2 run, as SSU committed four turnovers and missed nine shots in the final six minutes, including a pair of free throws.
Savannah State (7-14, 5-2) hit 33.3 percent for the game on 16-of-48 shooting, which included a 6-of-23 effort in the first half. NSU was unable to capitalize, though, leading by just two at the half.
Senior Malcolm Hawkins led all players with 16 points, while senior Pendarvis Williams added 11 in the second half and 13 altogether.
NSU improved to 12-9 overall and 6-2 in the MEAC, moving into second place in the conference standings after Morgan State also lost on Monday.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.ssuathletics.com