image via Delaware State Athletics
Courtesy of Kylon Lewis,
Director of Strategic Communications Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
75
Winner DSU
70
Morgan
| Team | 1 | 2 | OT 1 | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DSU | 27 | 33 | 15 | 75 |
| Morgan | 15 | 45 | 10 | 70 |
Seventh-seeded Delaware State Hornets men’s basketball made 11 of 12 free throws in the final 3:15 of overtime to hold off second-seeded Morgan State Bears men’s basketball, 75–70, in the quarterfinals of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday at Norfolk Scope Arena. The teams were tied 60–60 at the end of regulation.
Morgan State took a 62–60 lead early in overtime on two free throws from Christian Meeks with 4:27remaining. However, the underdog Hornets responded by scoring seven of the next nine points to build a 67–64 advantage with 1:53 left.
The Bears were unable to close the gap as Delaware State finished the game on an 8–6 run. Two free throws by Ponce James pushed the Hornets’ lead to 71–66 and effectively sealed the win.
Miles Webb led three Hornets in double figures with 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. James added 19 points, while Rahmir Moore finished with 14.
Delaware State, which lost both regular-season meetings against Morgan State, entered the tournament with a 7–22 record and just two wins in 14 conference games. The victory improves the Hornets to 8–22 and advances them to Friday’s semifinals against the winner of Thursday’s quarterfinal matchup between third-seeded North Carolina Central Eagles men’s basketball and sixth-seeded Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks men’s basketball.
Webb scored 11 first-half points to help the Hornets build a surprising 27–15 lead at halftime. The 6-foot-8 senior shot 5-for-7 from the field and made his only three-point attempt of the period.
Morgan State responded quickly after halftime as Wynston Worrell scored nine straight points to open the second half, cutting the deficit to 27–23. James answered with Delaware State’s first basket of the period, restoring a 29–23 lead with 17:20 remaining.
The teams battled closely over the next 10 minutes before Morgan State regained the lead, 46–45, on two free throws with 6:51 to play. After that, the lead changed once, and the game was tied seven times, including at 60–60 when Webb hit two free throws to force overtime.
