MSU Gamenotes
Game 19
Morgan State (9-9, 5-2 MEAC) vs. North Carolina A&T (9-12, 4-3 MEAC)
Monday, Jan. 31, 2011 – 7:30 p.m.
Hill Field House – Baltimore, Md.
Television – N/A
Radio – Sirius XM / WEAA 88.9 FM
Websites: www.MorganStateBears.com; www.NCATSAggies.com
Follow Morgan State men's basketball on twitter @morganstbears for in-game updates and the latest news on the squad.
The Opening Tip
Morgan State, the 2010 MEAC champions, will face North Carolina A&T on Monday, Jan. 31 at 7:30 p.m. at Hill Field House in Baltimore, Md. MSU 9-9 will attempt to rebound from a 76-74 loss against Norfolk State, marking the Bears' first conference loss at Hill Field House since February 15, 2010 ... N.C. A&T will attempt to avoid a 3-game losing streak when they take on the reigning MEAC champs. The Aggies were blown out by Coppin State 88-70 in Baltimore. With the loss the Aggies dropped to 9-12 overall and 4-3 in the MEAC.
The Last Time Out
BALTIMORE, Md. – Kyle O'Quinn scored 24 points to help lead the Norfolk State Spartans to a 76-74 upset victory over the Morgan State Bears Saturday afternoon in an ESPNU nationally televised game. Rob Hampton tallied 19 points for Norfolk State (6-13, 4-3), which got 15 points from Pendarvis Williams and 11 points from Aleek Pauline.
North Carolina A&T's Last Game
BALTIMORE, Md. – There was no comeback to be had this time. North Carolina A&T's slow start on Saturday never speed up as Coppin State defeated the Aggies 88-70 at the Physical Education Complex. The Aggies had to rally from a 10-point deficit to beat S.C. State in overtime a week ago. On Monday, the Aggies overcame at 25-point deficit to N.C. Central to force overtime in a 90- 84 loss.
The Series vs. The Aggies
♦ Monday's game will be the 78th meeting between Morgan State and North Carolina A&T in men's basketball.
♦ Morgan State has won six of the last seven contests against the Aggies, including the last five straight.
♦ The Aggies hold a 46-31 all-time record against MSU since the 1950-51 season.
♦ The last time the Aggies defeated Morgan State 91-79 in an overtime victory at the Corbett Sports Center in Greensboro on February 19, 2007.
Thompson's Hospitality
♦ MSU junior Kevin Thompson is set to lead the Bears this season...the 6-foot-9 forward was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and was the league's most dominant post player during the 2009-10 season ... As a sophomore, Thompson averaged 12.7 points per game, 11.9 rebounds (4th best in the nation) and completed the season with 22 double-doubles (pts & rebs). He has started the 2010-11 season by averaging 13 ppg and 8.7 notching eight double-double performances in 18 games, including a 25 points and 10 rebounds outing against LaSalle (Nov. 20) and will enter Monday's contest looking to build upon a 13 point, nine rebound effort in a loss against Norfolk State (Jan. 31).
Bearing Down
♦ Morgan State has held seven of its opponents to under 40% shooting from the field. The Bears held Howard to a season-low 33% shooting on Jan. 8., and limited South Carolina State to just four baskets (4-15; 26.7%) in the opening stanza on Jan. 15 in an ESPN2 nationally televised game at Hill Field House.
♦ Morgan State also held Western Illinois (Nov. 23) and South Carolina State 23 first-half points.
Numbers Game
♦ In the loss at Delaware State, Kevin Thompson completed the game with six points and a season- low two rebounds, while DeWayne Jackson, the Bears' leading scorer, was limited to seven points on 2-of-7 shooting.
♦ Against UMES, MSU scored 40 points inside the paint and scored 24 points off 19 turnovers.
♦ Morgan State completed the 2009-10 season as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champs, it marked the Bears second consecutive MEAC Title and they also captured their third consecutive regular season title.
♦ Morgan State was picked to finish as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champs again this year … the Bears received 20 first place votes and totaled 476 points to garner the league's top position for the second year in a row.
♦ Morgan State has posted a 1-6 record when two Bears score in double-figures in a game ... The only time the Bears posted a win with two player scoring in double-digits was against Robert Morris (Dec. 30).
♦ The Bears had four players score in double-figures during their win against Hampton on Jan. 10 ... DeWayne Jackson (21), Kevin Thompson (19), Aric Brooks and (18), Ameer Ali (10).
♦ Following their matchup with N.C A&T, the Bears will have five days to prepare for Florida A&M on Saturday, February 5 in Tallahassee, the game will tip-off at 6 p.m. ... Last year, Reggie Holmes and freshman DeWayne Jackson scored 25 points apiece and Morgan State (No. 20 in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll) extended its winning streak with a lopsided victory by routing Florida A&M 94-68 on Feb. 8, 2010 at Hill Field House.
