BALTIMORE, Md. (November 12, 2024) -- On Tuesday evening, the Morgan State Bears returned to Hill Field House for their third non-conference matchp. They faced off against the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Leading the charge was Wynston Tabbs, one of the top scorers in the league, netting a game-high 24 points for the second consecutive time at home, propelling the Bears to a 90-68 victory.
The Bears and Firebirds stumbled out to a rough start with back-to-back turnovers early in the game as both teams struggled to find their rhythm. However, it was Amharie Simpkins who seized the moment and broke the stalemate, delivering the first score of the game and reigniting hope for the Bears. Simpkins notched an impressive 15 points, complemented by four rebounds and two assists, showcasing his versatility on both ends of the court.
UDC (1-2) briefly captured a 16-15 lead midway through the first period, which served as a wake-up call for Morgan. In response, the Bears ramped up their defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and disrupting UDC's offensive flow. After a shaky start, Morgan concluded the first half with a 38-30 lead.
The Bears dominated inside the paint, holding a 56-24 advantage in points in the paint. Morgan's fast-break offense was also key to tonight's outcome, as they outscored UDC 26-19 in fast-break points.
Defensively, Morgan applied constant pressure, and scored 30 points off of 26 turnovers by the Firebirds. Ultimately, the ability to generate points from their defensive effort played a critical role in securing tonight's victory.
Morgan emerged from halftime with renewed energy that would prove too much for UDC. The Bears extended their lead by capitalizing on fast breaks and swiftly pushing the ball up the court. This relentless pace overwhelming UDC's defenses, allowing Morgan to dominate the scoring, particularly in the paint, where they outscored their opponents by an impressive 32 points.
Following the Bears victory, Morgan coach Kevin Broadus offered an insightful reflection on the team's performance, highlighting their accomplishments while also acknowledging the potential for further improvement.
"We got to take practice harder than games," said Broadus. "Early on, I thought we made the game too hard. We didn't simplify it."
Broadus added, "36% is a good (field goal) percentage. I hope we can hold all teams to that, and then we can shoot 54%. It gives us a chance to win most games."
Ahead of this weekend's matchup, Broadus also shared insight about the expectation.
"The team we're going to play on Saturday can really score the ball, and we're going to have to work on our offense," Broadus added. "We got to have precision, and we can't cut corners. It's going to be an uphill task, but we will be ready."
The Bears are set to play against the New Jersey Institute of Technology this Saturday, November 16, at 11 a.m. at Hill Field House in Baltimore.
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, 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.
