BALTIMORE, Md. (February 14, 2021) – Devante Carter scored 19 points to push the visiting Norfolk State Spartans to a 68-65 win against Morgan State on Sunday afternoon, in the weekend series finale.

Carter, who scored 20 points in NSU's 74-69 win in the series opener Saturday, once again did most of the damage for the Spartans. The senior guard shot 5-of-13 from the field with six rebounds and five steals. He also went 9-for-9 from the free throw line including key free throws down the stretch to help pull out the win, as NSU (11-7, 6-4) moves into the top spot in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Northern Division.

Senior forward Troy Baxter led the Bears by scoring 16 of his game-high 21 points (6-12 FG) in the first half. Sherwyn Devonish added 12 points and five rebounds, while Moel Camara chipped in 11 points off the bench.



Tahj-Malik Campbell completed a 3-point play after he was fouled on a putback to knot the game at 65 apiece with just 2:25 to play. The Spartans would go on to convert 3-of-4 free throws in the final moments, including two by Carter with 3 seconds left. MSU's last second push for a shot before the buzzer ended in a turnover.

MSU (11-6, 6-4 MEAC) appeared to be in command after Baxter scored five free throws and Trevor Moore splashed in a 3-pointer to put the Bears ahead 48-39 with 16:46. But NSU stormed back with a 19-8 run that included eight points from Kashaun Hicks and suddenly MSU clung to a 58-56 advantage with 8:11 remaining. 

The lead changed five more times, including three ties, before the Spartans took the lead for good at 63-62 after two free throws by Carter with 4:28 to go.

NSU won the battle on the backboards, out-rebounding the Bears 39-33 and scoring 24 points inside the paint. 

MSU was limited to just 4-of-19 shooting from 3-pointer territory and shot 38.5 percent from the field.  NSU shot 44.4 percent from the field, 33 percent from deep (4-12 3FG) and 75 percent (24-32) from the free throw line. 

The Bears held a 40-37 lead at the intermission.

Next Up:
The Bears will conclude the MEAC regular season slate on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21 at Delaware State. 

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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified doctoral research institution offering more than 126 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.