Women’s Results
South Carolina State 56, Bethune-Cookman 48
NORFOLK, Va.—Amber Howard scored half of her points in the fourth quarter, but it was an opportunistic defense and a grind-it style that proved to be the difference as South Carolina State upset Bethune Cookman, 56-48, in the quarterfinal round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at the Scope. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”y” height=”160″ identifier=”B011DSTS6O” locale=”US” src=”http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/51ykoVPvGyL.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”hbcusports-20″ width=”160″]
It marked the second straight season that the top seed has lost to the No. 9 seed in the tournament.
The Lady Bulldogs (13-15), the No. 9 seed, advance to the semifinal round on Friday where they will play the winner of the Morgan State-Coppin State game 12 at noon.
North Carolina A&T 67, Florida A&M 50
Aprill McRae nearly recorded a double-double on Wednesday as No. 2 seed North Carolina A&T pulled away late for a 67-50 win over No. 7 seed Florida A&M in quarterfinal women’s action at Norfolk Scope Arena. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”y” height=”160″ identifier=”B018NWBWZ8″ locale=”US” src=”http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/41OkugrWSNL.SL160.jpg” tag=”hbcusports-20″ width=”160″]
The Aggies (17-11) advance to Friday’s semifinal against the Howard-Hampton winner.
McRae, a Second Team All-MEAC selection, finished with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 6-of-12 from the floor and hitting four of his six free throws. Kala Green added 13 points for the Aggies, who shot 38.4-percent (28-of-73) from the floor and held a 42-41 rebounding edge.
Men’s Results
Hampton 83, Morgan State 81
Reginald Johnson, Jr. recorded a double-double with 19 points and tied a tournament record with 13 assists leading the No. 1-seeded Hampton (19-10) to an 83-81 victory over the No. 9-seeded Morgan State (9-22) in the quarterfinals round of the 2016 MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Scope Arena on Wednesday, March 9th. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”y” height=”120″ identifier=”B00WZ09A0E” locale=”US” src=”http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/41ab2BR5o4L.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”hbcusports-20″ width=”160″]
Johnson tied the record for most assists in a game that was held by Larry Yarbray of Coppin State, who dished out 13 helpers, against North Carolina A&T State in 1988.
The Pirates finished with four in double figures anchored by the backcourt duo of Johnson and Brian Darden. Johnson made 8-of-17 shots from the field to go with his 13 assists, while Darden finished with 14 points on 5-of-9 made field goals, including hitting 2-of-5 three pointers. Quinton Chievous grabbed a team-high nine rebounds while scoring 17 points. Jervon Pressley had 10 points and tallied five offensive rebounds.
Norfolk State 66, North Carolina Central 47
The No. 2 Norfolk State Spartans used a strong defensive effort to hold off the No. 7 North Carolina Central Eagles and advance to the semifinals with a 66-47 victory on Wednesday night at the Norfolk Scope Arena. [easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”y” height=”160″ identifier=”B011E4FLV8″ locale=”US” src=”http://hbcusports.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/512BGFtJSmCL.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”hbcusports-20″ width=”160″]
Jeff Short, an All-MEAC First Team selection, led the way for the Spartans with 16 points while teammate D’Shon Taylor registered 13 points and six rebounds. However, it was their defense that proved the difference. Norfolk State held the rebound advantage, 38-34, and tallied eight blocks along the way. Taylor, Jonathan Wade and All-MEAC Rookie selection Alex Long rejected two shots each.
Dante Holmes, an All-MEAC Second Team selection, scored 17 points for the Eagles, leading all scorers in what would prove to be his final collegiate contest. Kyle Benton led in rebounds with seven and Patrick Cole dished out three assists.
Courtesy: MEAC
