HORNETS FALL SHORT AGAINST #1 MORGAN STATE

Dover, DE ? Both teams entered the afternoon contest without their leading scorers, but it was the Morgan State Bears that had enough fire power left to slip by the Delaware State Hornets 39-36. The win kept the Bears in first in the MEAC race at 13-2 and 19-9 overall, while the Hornets dropped to 9-6, 12-15.

The Hornets leading scorer Roy Bright didn't dress for the game because of a tooth ache and the Bears leading scorer Jamar Smith didn't play because of an ankle injury. Without the two players both teams struggled from the floor, MSU shot 32.6 (14-43) and DSU shot 31.5% (17-54).

DSU's strategy was to limit Morgan's offensive possession by working the shot clock to the limit and turning the defensive intensity up. It worked to the point that the Hornets had the opportunity to get the upset with two chances to take the lead or tie the game in the final moments. The Bears were held to 23.8% (5-21) from the floor in the second half after holding a 22-13 lead at the half.

A jumper by Donald Johnson with 8:04 left in the game tied it up at 27, but the Bears took the lead for good on a lay-up by Marquise Kately at the seven minute mark. A three point play by Jerrell Green gave the Bears a six point lead 35-29 with 3:20 left, but the Hornets put together a 7-3 surge cutting the lead to two 36-38 on a jumper by Frisco Sandidge with 42 seconds left. MSU's Coly Boubacar scored from the free throw line and the Hornets Sandidge missed a three pointer that would have sent the game into overtime at the buzzer.

Sandidge led all scorers with a double-double, 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Bears did not have anyone with double digits, but was led in scoring by Kately with nine points. Boubacar did manage 10 rebounds for the Bears.

The Hornets will return to action in the season finale on Thursday, March 6, hosting their Eastern Shore rival Maryland Eastern Shore.