Morgan State Basketball Entertaining, Keeping Eyes on the Prize

BALTIMORE, Md. (Feb. 10, 2023) – Bonded by their passion, resilience and pleasant ability to combine excellence and entertainment on the basketball court, Isiah Burke, Malik Miller, Ja'Naih Henson and Charlene Shepherd all have the same goals.

For much of the season, Morgan State University's outstanding quartet has made fans scream and jump out of their seats, while also traumatizing opponents with their tenacity, talent and toughness.

Shepherd and Henson have provided the spark to ignite the Bears' championship fire. They have helped the Morgan State women win seven consecutive contests. Surging into the second half of its schedule with a 7-0 conference record, sitting atop the standings, the Bears enjoy a two-game cushion over defending champion Howard and Norfolk State.

The Morgan State women have energized the entire campus. With 14 victories, the Bears are six wins from establishing a single-season record for victories as a Division I program.

"I think it's great for the program and something that hasn't been done in a while," Henson said. "We're trying to keep it up and go all the way. What's worked for us as a team is sticking to the script, following what the coaches tell us, and having fun."

Their nightly exploits have become must-see events for Burke.

"If I can't see them play in-person, I will watch them on the website," Burke said. "They support us just as much as we support them, even though it's hard to watch the whole game because usually, around halftime, we have to prepare for our game. (Charlene and Ja'Niah) play hard, and it rubs off on their teammates. It's good to watch their passion for the game.

"When the women win games, we come in next like it's our turn. It motivates us and gives us an edge because we have to keep up with (the women's team). It's great to see and motivating for sure."

Henson is second in the MEAC in 3-point field goal percentage (34.3), third in the MEAC in scoring (15.0 points per game), fourth in steals (2.4), fifth in 3-pointers made per game (1.9), seventh in field goal percentage (40.0) and eighth in assists per game (2.5).

Shepherd is second in steals (2.4), third in rebounding (7.5), fourth in scoring (14.8), eighth in assists (2.5), and 10th in field goal percentage (38.2).

Until his season-ending injury, Miller had teamed with Burke to give Morgan State an opponent-wilting pair. Even though Burke lost his scoring sidekick, he knows his Bears have plenty of talent to continue their championship pursuit.

The men's team is also having fun even as they adjust to life without Miller. Morgan State ended a three-game skid with a solid victory over Delaware State at last weekend's Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic in Newark, N.J.

Shepherd and Henson rush to their front-row seats following their contests to enjoy the crowd-pleasing moves of their men's counterparts.

"I love watching (Isaiah and Malik) play," Shepherd said. "I am always watching their games. We try to mirror their games, even though it's hard. I love the passion, aggression and excitement they play with. They also play with a lot of joy."

Burke leads the MEAC in 3-point field goals made per game (3.4), 3-point field goal percentage (44.6), and he is second in scoring (19.7), sixth in field goal percentage (46.0), and eighth in assists per game (2.8). Before his injury, Miller led the MEAC in rebounding (9.8) and is second in steals (2.1) and fourth in scoring (17.5).

Morgan State's success is simple this season.

Burke and Henson are healthy, making all the difference for each program. Burke missed parts of the last two seasons with a foot injury. Henson was sick and injured last season, forcing her to miss some games.

"It was stressful," Burke said of his injury. "I was in a dark place, but I stayed close to my family and God. I just had to stay on the path and get back and use it as motivation to keep me level-headed. During my rehab, I listened to a lot of music. Watching my teammates get as far as they did last year motivated me. It made me realize that I could help them get further when I came back."

Henson also conquered an obstacle.

"I was injured a lot last year. I got a concussion and got COVID," Henson said. "I had a stress reaction in my foot, and I was down a lot last year, so it wasn't the best year for me mentally or physically. I had a lot of long days and long nights. In the end, I want to be successful, so wanting to succeed kept me going every day, so I got up and went to physical therapy. And when physical therapy was over, I went into the gym and continued to work on my craft so that I could be right here, right now."

Both programs are focused on the here and now.

They understand if they continue doing what they are doing, it will lead them to the promised land. Plenty of games remain, so it's been challenging for Shepherd, Henson, Burke and Miller to reflect on what they've accomplished this season because bigger goals are on the horizon.

Morgan State has a few home games remaining and the MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk next month for fans to glimpse some of the most talented college basketball players in the country who wear the hallowed orange-and-blue of Morgan State.

"We are fueled by a desire to finish this year," Shepherd said. "We've gotten close to making it to the MEAC finals being regular-season champions, but we haven't sealed the deal as a program. We believed we should've made the finals last year and represented the MEAC in the NCAA Tournament. We fell short by a buzzer-beater, which motivates us daily."

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Communicators (CSC).

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Players Mentioned

#11 Malik Miller: G; 6' 4"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#11 Malik Miller
: 6' 4"; Freshman
: G

Players Mentioned

#11 Malik Miller

Players Mentioned

#11 Malik Miller