from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference:
North Carolina Central 64, South Carolina State 63
Morgan State 95, Coppin State 82
North Carolina Central 64, South Carolina State 63
DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University dug itself out of a 17-point first-half deficit to rally past South Carolina State University for a thrilling 64-63 win inside McDougald-McLendon Arena on Tuesday, Feb. 2.
The 17-point comeback is the largest lead overcome by the Eagles, replacing a 15-point comeback that the Eagles accomplished almost exactly one year prior on Feb. 3, 2020 against Norfolk State University on the way to a 69-63 victory.
SCSU (0-15, 0-5 MEAC) gave NCCU (4-3, 2-0 MEAC) a dose of its own medicine as the Bulldogs shot close to 50 percent in the first half, and at one point led by as many as 17 at 29-12 with 6:25 remaining in the period. The Eagles were able to trim the deficit before the end of the first 20 minutes, but still trailed by six at the break, 37-31.
The Eagles were able to turn the tide in the second half by once again warming up from the perimeter, as they drilled six treys at a 54.5 percent rate after the intermission. NCCU combined its hot shooting with strong defense to make its way back into the game. SCSU started the second half by making 6 of its first 10 shots, but after that the Eagles held the Bulldogs to just 2-for-10 from the field for the remainder of the contest.
Recap | Box Score
Morgan State 95, Coppin State 82
BALTIMORE, Md. (February 2, 2021) – Junior guard De’Torrion Ware scored 20 points and the Morgan State Bears stormed out of the gates tonight as they jumped out to an early 20-4 lead just barely five minutes into the contest against cross-town rival Coppin State, topping the Eagles 95-82 at the Physical Education Complex Arena.
With the victory Morgan State improves to 10-4 overall and take over first place in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Northern Division with a 5-2 mark. The Bears also handed the Eagles its third loss in four meetings.
Ware came off the bench and shot 6-of-14 from the field and scored 12 of his 20 points in the first half to lead six Bears in double-figures.
Junior guard Trevor Moore had 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Junior Malik Miller recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points (6-10 FG) and 10 rebounds. Senior Lagio Grantsaan added 15 points and 10 boards, while senior Troy Baxter, the reigning MEAC Player of the Week, finished with 15 points four rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots. Junior guard Sherwyn Devonish pitched in 13 points and six assists.
Coppin State (6-11, 5-3) was led on the evening by Anthony Tarke who tallied a game-high 22 points with 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks. Nendah Tarke added 19 points and Yuat Alok chipped in 10 points and seven boards.
Recap | Box Score
