Box Score | Updated Bracket

NORFOLK, Va., March 6, 2018 – No. 7 Morgan State advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Basketball Tournament quarterfinals after holding off No. 10 South Carolina State, 83-80, inside the Norfolk Scope Arena on Tuesday.
 
Morgan State’s Phillip Carr, an All-MEAC First Team selection, led the way with a team-high 21 points and eight boards. Tiwan Kendley and Tyler Streeter netted 16 and 14, respectively, in the victory.
 
Morgan State extended its halftime advantage to 17 after Alex Ennis completed the old-fashion 3-point play to give the Bears a 60-43 lead.
 
South Carolina State gradually chipped away at the deficit, cutting the margin down to single digits after a three from James Richardson, 62-53.
 
South Carolina State’s momentum continued as they sliced the deficit and tied the contest at the 7:58 mark, 68-68.
 
Both squads went back-and-forth for the next five minutes. South Carolina State’s Damani Applewhite dunked and tied the contest with less than three minutes remaining, 76-76, but Morgan State regained the lead and never relinquished.
 
Richardson had a game-high 23 points off the bench while Applewhite added 22 points in a losing effort.
 
Kendley made a layup and gave the Bears a double-digit advantage in the first half, 18-7. South Carolina State trimmed the margin down to single digits, but Morgan State kept the pressure on.
 
Morgan State’s Khalil Gracey connected on two free throws and extended the lead back to double digits, 20-10.
 
From that point, Morgan State held a double-digit advantage for the final 12 minutes, including 18-point lead after a pair of freebies from Carr, 50-32.
 
With a second left, Richardson drilled a long ball and cut the halftime deficit to 15 at halftime, 50-35.