Game Notes
NORFOLK, Va. - The Spartans (9-17, 7-6 MEAC) put their four-game winning streak on the line on Saturday as they take on defending MEAC champion Morgan State (21-9, 12-1) on Saturday at Hill Field House in Baltimore, Md. Tip-off is slated for 4 p.m.
The Bears have already clinched the top seed in March's MEAC Tournament, while the Spartans are in fourth place and sit among a group of clubs battling for seeding and a potential first-round MEAC Tournament bye.
NSU continued its winning ways with an 82-62 win over South Carolina State on Monday. Michael Deloach (Rocky Mount, N.C.) scored 31 points to lead four Spartans in double figures.
The Bears clinched the top seed in the MEAC Tournament and at least a share of the regular-season title with a 65-61 win over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday.
Saturday's game will highlight the two best scoring offenses in the league as well as the top two scorers, Deloach (21.4) and MSU's Reggie Holmes (21.5).
Ross Gordon and Chris Park will call the action on WNSB 91.1 FM. WNSB's live audio link is available through the NSU web site at www.nsuspartans.com.
NSU leads the series with Morgan State 26-10, but the Bears have won the last three, including a 100-94 OT win on Jan. 31. NSU's last win in the series was a 71-69 triumph on Jan. 14, 2008 at Echols Hall. NSU's last win at MSU was on Jan. 16, 2006, in an 81-53 win. The Spartans have lost their last two games at Hill Field House.
In the last meeting, Holmes' traditional 3-point play in overtime gave Morgan State the lead for good and highlighted a critical 8-0 run as visiting Morgan State rallied by Norfolk State 100-94 on Sunday, Jan. 31 at Echols Hall.
NSU led 90-89 with 2:35 left in OT after a layup by Deloach, who scored a career-high 34 points. But the Bears went on an 8-0 run to pull away. Kevin Thompson, who had 21 points and 14 rebounds, hit 1-of-2 free throws to tie it at 90-all. He missed the second foul shot, but DeWayne Jackson (18 points) got the offensive rebound.
Holmes, who was just 6-of-20 for 19 points, then hit a layup and converted the free throw for a 3-point play to give MSU the lead.
The Spartans lost despite placing a season-high-tying five players in double figures. NSU controlled much of the game, only to surrender the lead late but force overtime on a last-second 3-pointer by Rob Hampton (Queens, N.Y.), who scored 11 points. Kyle O'Quinn (Jamaica, N.Y.) added 17 points and six boards, Marcos Tamares (Queens, N.Y.) scored a career-high 14 points, and Aleek Pauline (Jamaica, N.Y.) added 10 for NSU.
