You could wonder if Norfolk State and South Carolina State didn’t look like the top seeds on Wednesday night.
You also could wonder if Maryland-Eastern Shore and Coppin State were better than the last two seeds in the MEAC men’s basketball tournament.
Whatever the point of view, the Spartans and Bulldogs came away with closer wins than expected. Norfolk State defeated the Fighting Hawks 77-70, while SCSU overcame a double-digit first-half deficit to beat the Eagles 68-63.
Norfolk State (22-10) led most of the way after an early 5-4 UMES lead, but the Hawks, true to their name, fought back from a 14-point deficit to close within five points on a three-pointer by Hassan Perkins with 40 seconds left.
UMES was able to force a Norfolk State turnover, but Evan Johnson’s three-point attempt was off,f and Jalen Myers, who scored a team-high 22 points, made two free throws to put the game away for the Spartans.
Joining Myers in double figures for Norfolk State were Chris Fields Jr. (13 points) and MEAC newcomer of the year Brian Moore Jr. (10 points)
Johnson led UMES (6-25) with 22 points, followed by 18 points from Ketron Shaw and 13 and 12 points, respectively, from Christopher Flippin and Cardell Bailey.
Norfolk State will get the winner of No. 4 Howard and No. 5 Morgan State on Friday at 6 p.m.
No. 2 seed SC State survived first-round test
South Carolina State (19-12) fell behind fast and early to the seventh-seeded Eagles, trailing 15-5 just 5:47 into the first half.
The Bulldogs could close within 41-37 at the half, and senior guard Wilson Dubinsky took control in the second half. Dubinsky scored 13 of his game-high 20 points after halftime.
Coppin State trailed 66-63 in the final minute, but Drayton Jones grabbed a critical offensive rebound and made two free throws to put the game away for the Bulldogs.
Colin McKenzie added 11 points, and Davion Everett contributed 10 points for SCSU, who surprised everyone by grabbing a share of the conference title this season.
The Bulldogs survive night one!! #MEACHoops @SCStateAthletic pic.twitter.com/ocasfCLAQn
— Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (@MEACSports) March 13, 2025
The Eagles, who finished 2024-25 6-24, were led by Peter Oduro’s 15 points. Oduro was joined in double figures by Toby Nnadozie with 14 points and Julius Ellerbe III and Khali Horton with 10 points each.
South Carolina State will face the winner of No. 3 Delaware State vs. No. 6 North Carolina Central on Friday night.
