Baltimore, MD, January 30—Joseph McLean scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half, including seven of his team’s last nine points to help Morgan State University come from behind to defeat Howard University, 79-75 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s game at Hill Fieldhouse. The win snapped an 18-game losing streak for the Bears (1-18 overall, 1-7 in the MEAC) while the Bison (2-16, 1-8 in the MEAC) had their losing streak extend to 10.
Howard had taken what appeared to be a comfortable 54-41 lead at the 13:32 mark of the second half. Then Morgan State rallied on the scoring of McLean, Tyree Spinner (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Timothy Berkeley (18 points, 11 rebounds), who combined for 36 of the Bears’ 45 second half points during a frantic 38-21 run to close the game.
The Bison aided Morgan State’s cause with several untimely turnovers and some missed opportunities. Four times in their last five possessions, Howard was called for traveling or they failed to get off a shot.
With the score tied at 75-all with 25 seconds remaining, the Bears spread the floor and isolated McLean, who found his way to the basket and floated a bank shot over Howard defenders to give Morgan State a 77-75 advantage with three seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, the Bison got the ball to junior guard Will Gant, who tallied 10 of his 16 in the second half, but he was called for traveling and the Bears’ Timothy Warfield knocked down both free throws after being fouled to end the streak.
Howard was led by junior forward Jason Trotter (17 points, 7 rebounds) and senior guard Louis Ford and sophomore guard Jeron Smith, who each contributed 10.
GAME NOTES: The Bison shot 57 percent from the field and almost 50 percent from three-point range, but they were undone by 25 turnovers, 14 coming in the second half and another poor free throw shooting performance (61 percent)…the Bears were a lot more aggressive in the second half as they had 27 free throw attempts to only seven for Howard…it marked the first time in four games that junior forward Darryl Hudson (8 points failed to score in double figures or lead the team in scoring.
NEXT UP: The Bison host Norfolk State University on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium…it will be the first of the home stand that includes six of seven contests…the Bears host Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Hill Fieldhouse.