Junior Marquise Kately helped lead the Bears to their fourth consecutive victory.
Boxscore
DOVER, DE -- Both teams entered the afternoon contest without their leading scorers, but it was the Morgan State Bears that had enough fire power left to slip by the Delaware State Hornets 39-36. The win improved the Bears record to 19-9 overall and 13-2 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference to help Morgan State capture its first regular-season title in school history.
Norfolk State’s loss tonight against Hampton (87-72) ended any chance of finishing tied with Morgan State as the Spartans currently hold a 10-4 mark in the MEAC. As a result the Bears have not only secured the #1 seed in the MEAC Tournament, but have also guaranteed themselves a berth in the National Invitation Tournament if they fail to win the conference tournament and earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Hornets leading scorer Roy Bright (19.1 ppg) didn’t dress for the game because of a tooth ache and the Bears leading scorer Jamar Smith (17.6 ppg) didn’t play because of an ankle injury. Without the two players both teams struggled from the floor, MSU shot 32.6 (14-43) and DSU shot 31.5% (17-54).
Delaware State’s (12-15, 9-6) strategy was to limit Morgan’s offensive possessions by working the shot clock to the limit and turning the defensive intensity up. It worked to the point that the Hornets had the opportunity to get the upset with two chances to take the lead or tie the game in the final moments. The Bears were held to 23.8% (5-21) from the floor in the second half after holding a 22-13 lead at the half.
A jumper by Donald Johnson with 8:04 left in the game tied it up at 27, but the Bears took the lead for good on a lay-up by Marquise Kately at the seven minute mark. A three point play by Jerrell Green gave the Bears a six point lead 35-29 with 3:20 left, but the Hornets put together a 7-3 surge cutting the lead to two 36-38 on a jumper by Frisco Sandidge with 42 seconds left. MSU’s #Boubacar Coly# scored from the free throw line and the Hornets Sandidge missed a three pointer that would have sent the game into overtime at the buzzer.
Sandidge led all scorers with a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Bears did not have anyone with double digits, but was led in scoring by Kately with nine points. Boubacar finished with 10 rebounds for the Bears.
The Bears will return to action in the season finale on Thursday, March 6, hosting crosstown rival Coppin State. Morgan State has a chance to go undefeated at Hill Field House for the first time as they are currently 11-0. The Eagles will enter the contest having won their last eight games.
