DOVER, Del. (Feb. 26, 2022)-Morgan State needed an extra five minutes, but in the end the visiting Lady Bears were able to overcome a sluggish start and spoil Delaware State's Winter Homecoming and Senior Day, with a hard fought 69-63 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) victory on Saturday at Memorial Hall. 
 
Senior Charlene Shepherd was one of two Lady Bears to record double-doubles, as she came off the bench to finish with a team-high 18 points and grabbed a team-leading 12 rebounds, to help the Lady Bears sweep the season series and keep the Hornets (0-21, 0-12 MEAC) winless on the season.
 
Jayla Atmore also came off the bench to add 14 points, while Kaia Ponder notched Morgan's second double-double of the afternoon, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds. Adia Brisker finished with 10 points, as Morgan State improved to 15-7, 9-3 MEAC and swept the season series and claimed its sixth straight victory over the Hornets.
 
"All I can say is grit. I feel that at this particular moment we are fighting to win a ring and most times in order to do that, you would have to fight through some kind of adversity," said Shepherd on the Lady Bears ability to find away to pull out a win. "Championship teams know how to push and get through adversity, to see the results they want. I believe that lately we have been faced with many different battles and challenges, and we always found a way to top them as a team. The most important thing right about now is the fact that we're showing togetherness."
 
Morgan State, winners of eight of its last nine games, held a 46-36 advantage heading into the final period of regulation. The Lady Bears' lead quickly evaporated, as the hosts used a 10-2 spurt to pull within 48-46 with 6:31 remaining.
 
The guests took a three-point (55-52) lead when Shepherd hit a free throw to complete a three-point play with 1:30 to play. 25 seconds later Janasia Law converted on a free throw to complete her own three-point play and even the score at 55 all with 1:05 to play.
 
Delaware State would force a turnover and Sianny Sanchez-Oliver knocked down two free throws to give the Hornets a 57-55 lead. Playing for the last possession, Shepherd grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on the put back with 3.7 seconds remaining to tie the game at 57 all and force overtime.  
 
Both teams traded baskets in the extra session, before the Lady Bears broke a tied score at 63, by outscoring the Hornets 6-0 to claim the six-point victory.
 
"I just try to come and give everything I can to the team every night to help my team win," said Shepherd on her performance and sending the game into overtime. "I feel with both Ye [Dahnye Redd] and Taylor [Addison] out right now, I have been put in a position to step up big time in both scoring and rebounding and I believe I have done that."
 
With Morgan State struggling to get going offensively, Atmore's play in the first half kept Morgan State afloat long enough until the rest of the Lady Bears got going. The senior guard scored eight of her 14 points in the first half, including six straight in the first quarter.
 
"Jayla has stepped up big time, not just this game but in ones prior to tonight. "I know she wants to win this championship," said Shepherd. "Her attitude and hunger for it is obvious. I feel that she has just been playing for that lately and she's been doing it when we need it the most."   
 
Trailing 22-16, Morgan State put together a 9-0 run, triggered by a free throw, followed by a put back from Shepherd. A jumper by Ponder gave the guests a 23-22 lead with 2:03 left in the second period. It was the Lady Bears' first lead since 2-0. Shepherd ended the run by hitting another jumper to give Morgan State a 25-22 lead.
 
The Hornets ended the run on a layup by Alexis Moragne just as time expired to cut the Morgan lead to 25-24 at the intermission.
 
After a brief dustup, Morgan State took a 46-36 lead after Ja'Niah Henson connected on 3-of-4 free throws and Ponder hit a jumper as part of a five-point possession with 25 seconds remaining in the third to complete a 9-0 run and give the guests a 10-point cushion heading into the fourth quarter.
 
Delaware State was led by Law, who playing in her final home game of her career finished with a game-high 21 points. Moragne totaled 16 points and Breazia Robinson added 11 points and seven boards. Unique Miller pulled down a team-best eight rebounds.  
 
Morgan State will close out its home slate on Monday, Feb. 28 when the Lady Bears host Maryland Eastern Shore at 5 p.m. at Hill Field House. The contest will also be Senior Night, as MSU will honor its five seniors (Jayla Atmore, Khaliah Hines, Ashia McCalla, Dahnye Redd and Charlene Shepherd), prior to the game.
 
Maryland Eastern Shore (10-14, 6-6 MEAC) earned its third straight win, following a 60-51 win at home over Coppin State on Saturday.