Dover, Del. (Jan. 4, 2020) --- Morgan State broke open a close game in the second half of an 81-68 victory over Delaware State in the MEAC men's basketball opener for both teams in Memorial Hall this afternoon.
The Hornets dropped their seventh straight game this season and third straight MEAC opener to fall to 1-14 this year.
Morgan State has won two of its last three games to improve to 7-9 overall this season.
The Bears were keyed by a balanced scoring attack in the contest. Isaiah Burke, Sherwyn Devonish and Savid Syfax shared team-high scoring honors with 15 points each. Morgan's Lagio Grantsaan added 13 points, while teammate Malik Miler had 10 points and topped all players with 10 rebounds.
John Crosby led three Delaware State double-figure scorers with a game-high 22 points, matching his season average. Crosby was tops in the MEAC and ninth among all NCAA Div. I players in scoring entering the contest.
Sophomore forward Fahim Jenneto added 13 points for the Hornets in his season debut. Jenneto was four-for-six from the field, including three-of-five on three-point attempts in the contest. He missed the last 18 games of the 2018-19 campaign and first 14 outings this season due to injury.
Ameer Bennett was the only other double-figure scorer for DSU with 10 points.  Bennett also pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Hornets.
Delaware State trailed by as many as nine points in the first half, but clawed back to grab a 27-25 lead on a lay-up by LJ Stansbury with 4:49 to go before halftime.
There were five ties and four lead changes in the first half, which with a 34-34 score.
The Hornets led 39-37 after a jumper by Jenneto early in the second half, but Morgan's Burke answered with a jumper to force the eighth tie of the game.
DSU held its final lead of the game, 42-41 after a three-pointer by Jenneto, but Morgan State responded 11-2 run to pull ahead for good.
Devonish capped off the spurt with a basket to give the Bears a 52-44 lead with 12:16 left to play.
Morgan State opened up a 62-49 lead when Miller capped off a 7-0 run with a jumper at the 6:30 mark of the second half.
The Bears held their biggest lead of the game, 73-58, after two free throws by Burke with 1:40 remaining in the game.
The Hornets were outscored 47-34 in the second half.
DSU hit just nine of its 33 second half shots (27.3%), including four of 18 on three-point attempts (22.2%).
Morgan State shot 44.8% (13 for 29) in the final 20 minutes.
The Hornets will also play their next two games at home, beginning with a visit by defending MEAC Tournament champ North Carolina Central next Saturday (Jan. 11) at 2:00 p.m.
STINGERS
Crosby has topped the 20-point mark in nine games this season, including six of the last seven … DSU has dropped its last two games to the Bears … the teams are scheduled to meet again on Feb. 24 at Morgan State in Baltimore, Md.