Johnson Reaches 1,000 to Lift Bethune-Cookman Past Morgan State
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—Ricky Johnson scored 19 points and became Bethune-Cookman’s 29th 1,000 point scorer in Monday’s 62-50 victory over Morgan State in Historic Moore Gym.
The redshirt senior reached 1,000 on a 4-point play with 4:35 remaining in the first half.
He was 6-of-10 from the field with four 3-pointers as the Wildcats (6-13, 3-2) rebounded from Saturday’s loss to Coppin State by taking a 38-19 halftime lead.
Jordan Potts added 14 points, while Quinton Forrest grabbed 13 rebounds, the freshman's career high. The team had a program-record 12 blocked shots - seven from Mario Moody, his career high, and five more from LaRon Smith.
Morgan State (3-15, 1-4) was led by Rasean Simpson with 17 points and nine rebounds.
Bethune-Cookman held the Bears under 19-percent (12-of-64) from the field overall and to just 2-of-19 on 3-point attempts.
The Wildcats return to the road Saturday at Maryland Eastern Shore.
For complete story, visit www.bcuathletics.com or www.morganstatebears.com
Spartans Overcome Slow First Half to Down NC A&T State
GREENSBORO, N.C.—A notorious second half squad, the Norfolk State men's basketball team proved just how much on Monday afternoon at the Corbett Sports Center. Down by 10 at the break and with North Carolina A&T's Sam Hunt lighting things up, the Spartans outscored the Aggies by 17 after the break and held Hunt in check the rest of the way in a 75-68 victory.
It certainly was a tale of two halves, as Hunt scored 24 points in the first stanza, shooting 7-of-10 overall and 5-of-7 from 3-point range. He finished with 34 points, but NSU's box-and-1 defense in the second half kept him at bay. Hunt did not have a field goal attempt until a minute left in the contest, but an 11-of-12 effort from the free throw line, including 6-of-7 in the second half, bumped his end-of-game numbers.
The Spartans, meanwhile, had five players in double figures for the second straight game, led by a 20-point effort from senior Charles Oliver. He made 7-of-16 overall to make up for the loss of the Spartans' leading scorer, Jeff Short, who sat out the game due to injury.
For the game, the Spartans shot 24-of-52 from the floor (46.2-percent), including better than 53-percent in the second half when NSU outscored A&T 46-29.
The Aggies were held to less than 30-percent in the second half and 31.7-percent overall on 19-of-60 shooting. Hunt had five of his team's six treys, all in the first half. He hit 9-of-13 from the floor for the game, while the rest of the team sank just 10-of-47.
Steven Burrough added 12 points and seven rebounds to join Hunt in double figures in scoring. Denzel Keyes and Ahmad Abdullah combined to shoot 2-of-23, although Keyes did add a game-high 13 rebounds.
NSU will host South Carolina State, currently second in the MEAC, next Saturday at 6 p.m. at Joseph Echols Hall.
For complete story, visit www.nsuspartans.com or www.ncataggies.com
Sluggish Hornets Fall to Tigers for Third Straight Loss
Savannah, Ga.—Delaware State continued its road woes this season, falling to Savannah State 64-47 in a MEAC contest at Tiger Arena this evening.
The Hornets dropped their third straight game to fall to 1-16 overall and 0-3 in the MEAC this season. DSU also fell to 0-13 on the road this year.
Savannah State, which never trailed in the contest, won for the third time in four games to improve to 7-9 and 3-2.
Christopher Martin led three SSU players in double-figures with a game-high 16 points, highlighted by four three-point field goals. Lenjo Kilo recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Troyce Manassa had 13 points and a game-high nine rebounds for the Tigers. Manassa also knocked down four 3-pointers.
Freshman Devin Morgan led Delaware State in scoring for the third straight game with 15 points, while DeAndre Haywood had 12 for the Hornets.
The Hornets trailed 29-16 at the break. It was their second-lowest first half point total this season.
Savannah State led by 24 points on three occasions in the second half. The closest Delaware State could get the rest of the way was 59-45 after two free throws by Haywood with 1:25 left to play.
Delaware State will have little time to rest before their next action. The Hornets will complete a suspended game against Howard on Wednesday, January 20 at 4:30 p.m. in Memorial. Howard was leading 41-38 when the game was halted with 15:41 left in the second half on Jan. 11.
For complete story, visit www.dsuhornets.com or www.ssuathletics.com
Chievous' Late Layup Lifts Pirates Past North Carolina Central
DURHAM, N.C.—Quinton Chievous banked a layup off the glass with two seconds left Monday night at McDougald-McLendon Arena, lifting the Hampton University men’s basketball team to an 80-79 win over North Carolina Central.
In picking up their fifth straight win, the Pirates improved to 10-7 overall and 6-0 in MEAC play.
Reginald Johnson, Jr., the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, led the Pirates with 27 points on 7-for-15 shooting – going 4-for-8 from behind the arc and a perfect 9-for-9 at the free throw line. He also had seven rebounds and seven assists.
Chievous, the hero late, went 8-for-11 from the floor, scoring 19 points and grabbing a team-high eight rebounds. Lawrence Cooks came off the bench to chip in 13 points, all in the second half.
Jervon Pressley grabbed five rebounds and blocked three shots in 16 minutes of action.
Dante Holmes gave NCCU a 79-78 lead with a 3-pointer with 27 seconds remaining. Johnson had a look on the ensuing possession to give the Pirates the lead, but the Eagles came away with the rebound, forcing the Pirates to foul.
DaJuan Graf missed both free throws with nine seconds left. Johnson drew two defenders to the wing on the Pirates’ next possession before feeding the ball to Chievous underneath the basket. He banked in the layup to give the Pirates the lead, before Brian Darden stole the ensuing in-bounds pass.
The Pirates picked up their first win over NCCU since the Eagles joined the MEAC.
NCCU, the preseason favorite to win the MEAC, fell to 7-13 overall and 2-4 in conference play. Cole led four Eagles in double figures with a game-high 28 points.
The Pirates will return to the Convocation Center on Saturday to take on Savannah State at 6 p.m.
For complete story, visit www.nccueaglepride.com or www.hamptonpirates.com.