by Keith Henry
Morgan State opened their defense of the MEAC Championship with a hard fought 70-64 win over crosstown rival Coppin State at Hill Field House this evening.
CSU forward Branden Doughty said the goals coming into this game were, “We were looking to stop Kevin Thompson and just play hard defense. We got to come out hard every time and put two halves together.”
They limited Thompson to seven points and eight rebounds on the evening. But the Eagles couldn’t stop MSU forward DeWayne Jackson, who led everyone with 24 points, or guard Aric Brooks at crunch time.
The second half was the focal point of this game. With 16:11 left and Morgan State ahead 45-32, Coppin really started defending the ball and cutting into that lead. The Eagles drove to the basket and started forcing Morgan fouls. They also got some help from the outside in the form of Akeem Ellis who led the Eagles with 20 points on the evening. Ellis nailed a couple of three pointers. Then point guard Tony Gallo nailed a 17-footer while he was fouled by Larry Bastfield with 3:20 left. Gallo made the free throw to give Coppin (2-3, 0-1 MEAC) a 59-58 lead. Doughty said about the comeback, “We started making stops. Once you make stops, we could score all day.”
Coppin head coach Fang Mitchell said about Ellis, “It’s what we know he was capable of all along. We had to sit him down because he was too hype or whatever. Then he came back and started playing like the person we knew we recruited. So it might take us a little time, but we’re working at this thing.”
Later on, with the game tied at 61, it was Brooks who sealed the Eagles’ fate by nailing a three point shot from the outside with 1:43 left in regulation. Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman said about his guard, “Aric, I felt that he’s probably had one really good game. But I felt as though he’s been forcing the action and we’re trying to get all the guys to just relax and let the game come to them. He hit some big shots for us, no question about it.”
Aric said about the game, “I’m happy about the win. But we should’ve finished the game off better. You got to be able to keep your foot on the opponent’s neck. We let them come back into the game. But we finished the game, hit free throws, hitting key shots and key steals.”
Coppin cut the lead down to two on a couple of occasions late. But Morgan State (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) put it away with their free throw shooting.
Morgan has off two weeks for final exams. They take the court again on December 18 as they host UMBC in Hill Field House at 7 pm. Coppin State hosts Navy at the PEC on Tuesday night at 7 pm.
Morgan State opened their defense of the MEAC Championship with a hard fought 70-64 win over crosstown rival Coppin State at Hill Field House this evening.
CSU forward Branden Doughty said the goals coming into this game were, “We were looking to stop Kevin Thompson and just play hard defense. We got to come out hard every time and put two halves together.”
They limited Thompson to seven points and eight rebounds on the evening. But the Eagles couldn’t stop MSU forward DeWayne Jackson, who led everyone with 24 points, or guard Aric Brooks at crunch time.
The second half was the focal point of this game. With 16:11 left and Morgan State ahead 45-32, Coppin really started defending the ball and cutting into that lead. The Eagles drove to the basket and started forcing Morgan fouls. They also got some help from the outside in the form of Akeem Ellis who led the Eagles with 20 points on the evening. Ellis nailed a couple of three pointers. Then point guard Tony Gallo nailed a 17-footer while he was fouled by Larry Bastfield with 3:20 left. Gallo made the free throw to give Coppin (2-3, 0-1 MEAC) a 59-58 lead. Doughty said about the comeback, “We started making stops. Once you make stops, we could score all day.”
Coppin head coach Fang Mitchell said about Ellis, “It’s what we know he was capable of all along. We had to sit him down because he was too hype or whatever. Then he came back and started playing like the person we knew we recruited. So it might take us a little time, but we’re working at this thing.”
Later on, with the game tied at 61, it was Brooks who sealed the Eagles’ fate by nailing a three point shot from the outside with 1:43 left in regulation. Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman said about his guard, “Aric, I felt that he’s probably had one really good game. But I felt as though he’s been forcing the action and we’re trying to get all the guys to just relax and let the game come to them. He hit some big shots for us, no question about it.”
Aric said about the game, “I’m happy about the win. But we should’ve finished the game off better. You got to be able to keep your foot on the opponent’s neck. We let them come back into the game. But we finished the game, hit free throws, hitting key shots and key steals.”
Coppin cut the lead down to two on a couple of occasions late. But Morgan State (3-4, 1-0 MEAC) put it away with their free throw shooting.
Morgan has off two weeks for final exams. They take the court again on December 18 as they host UMBC in Hill Field House at 7 pm. Coppin State hosts Navy at the PEC on Tuesday night at 7 pm.
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