Morgan State University Athletics

Bear Shots

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - For the second game in a row, Kevin Thompson came off the bench to put on a dominating performance, scoring a game-high 22 points to help Morgan State defeat Bethune-Cookman, 61-48 in the semifinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's tournament at the Joel Coliseum.  The Bears (17-13), the Number 4 seed, advance to Saturday's championship which will take place at 2 pm on ESPNU.  They will play the winner of the Hampton University-Norfolk State University semifinal match.

The Bears, who are playing in the tournament final for the fourth straight season, got off to a good start, getting nine points from Thompson and seven from Larry Bastfield.  Morgan State shot 57 percent from the field.

The Wildcats (21-12), the Number 1 seed and regular season champion, were led  CJ Reed, the MEAC Player of the Year, with seven points and Garrius Holloman with six as they trailed 31-27.

In the second half, Thompson began to pick up where he left off in Thursday quarterfinal when he also dominated.  The 6-8 junior forward connected on six of eight from the field on a variety of textbook post moves that left Wildcat defenders oftentimes flatfooted.

“I didn't know that Kevin Thompson was going to come in being so perturbed on being second team,” said Reed.  “He's playing like he was the guy that was picked pre-season player of the year and he has those interior guys to go with him in case he misses one.  That was the difference.”

And when Bethune-Cookman attempted to double him, Thompson kicked the ball out to create open shots for Bastfield and DeWayne Jackson, who combined for 16 second half points. The result was a 54 percent shooting performance from the field for the game.

“We came out in the second half making an effort to throw the ball into Kevin and it really opened up things for the guards and our perimeter players,”  said Bastfield.

Bethune-Cookman made strong efforts to get close in the second half, but each time Thompson would rebuff them with a key basket, a rebound or a blocked shot.

Equally important in the victory was the Morgan State defense which kept Reed in check.  The 6-3 junior came into the game averaging 19 points per game, but Jackson, the Bears' defensive stopper, was mainly responsible for Reed missing 13 of 17, including 1 for 8 from beyond the arc.

“I feel he is our best defender,” said Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman.  “He doesn't always show it because of his maturity and tendency to get into foul trouble.  You have to control Reed; he's the player of the year. You have to give him that kind of respect.”

Added Reed, “What Jackson did was wear him down.  That's when the other guys have to be able to take advantage of the situation. I thought he (Reed) took too many threes, but he had seven assists.”

The point guard position has been one of concern for the Bears through most of the season, but Bastfield's play in the two tournament game, may be what the doctor ordered.  In addition to his 15 points, he dealt out five assists in 36 minutes of play.

Reed finished with 13 and seven assists and Starling with 12 points.

Jackson, a first team All-MEAC selection, finished with 11 points and six rebounds.