Coppin State survives NAIA Division I West Virginia Tech, 77-68

Head Coach Ron 'Fang" Mitchell
Coppin State University Eagles

Montgomery, WV –- West Virginia University Institute of Technology Golden Bears had two score in double digits at Coppin State and had their bench chip in 25 points Saturday afternoon to nearly pull off an upset of their Division I hosts. But in the end the difference in the game came down to opportunities at the foul line – and Tech came up short.

Tech and Coppin State played each other even in nearly every aspect of the game. The rebounding favored the Golden Bears by a 40-39 margin. Tech shot better from the field by a 42%-38% margins. Coppin State held the edge from behind the arc with a 38%-31% margin.

But the most telling of all the margins was at the free throw line where Coppin State found 20 points on 20 of 28 attempts compared to WVU Tech’s 8 of 13 from the line.

WVU Tech was led by Donald Robinson’s 17 point, 5 assist performance. Eddie Hayden was the only other Golden Bear to reach double digits with 15 points.

The 77-68 loss drops the NAIA Division I Mid-South Conference Golden Bears to 7-2 on the season.

The CSU Eagles will host Rio Grande in another non-conference game on Monday (Dec. 5) at 7:30 p.m. in the Physical Education Complex.

Courtesy West Virginia Tech Athletics

Football has finally come to Coppin State!!

Baltimore, MD - Club football will kick off its initial season with a home game against Virginia University of Lynchburg on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. The team has 55 Coppin State University students who have played football in high school or at other campuses.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions:

1. How does club football differ from NCAA football teams?

Club football is an opportunity for students to play against other club football teams in an organized fashion. Currently, there are approximately 20 colleges with club football teams. See the entire list -  Club Football Teams.  Coppin State University’s Club Football program is a part of the National Club Football of America organization and competes with modified NCAA rules. It’s a way for athletes interested in playing football, and for fans to support them.

2. Are the players on the team Coppin State University Students?

Yes, all of the students who participate must be a Coppin student who maintains 2.0 GPA. To see find out more about the club football players, join their Facebook page:  Coppin Club Football.

3. How much are tickets for me or my friends?

Tickets are free! Bring a friend, bring three!

4. Is there a schedule?

Yes, the football schedule is below.  Go Eagles!

COPPIN STATE UNIVERSITY EAGLES CLUB FOOTBALL

9/3 - Open

9/10 - George Mason at 1pm

9/17 - Wright State 7pm

9/24 @Hampton Roads Community College Gators 1pm

10/1 - Virginia University of Lynchburg at 1pm

10/8 - Longwood University at 1pm

10/15 - Williamson Free Trade School at 1pm

10/23 - Wesley College (Homecoming) at 1pm

10/29 - @VCU at 1pm

11/5 - @ Longwood at 1pm

Mascot: Eagles

Conference: Mid-Atlantic

Official Website

Email Team

View Team Roster

View Team Stats

2011 Schedule (PDF) | CSU Tailgating Policy/Application | Tailgating Parking 

Q&A with Coppin State coach Fang Mitchell

Baltimore, MD - It's been an unusual recruiting cycle for Coppin State men's basketball coach Fang Mitchell.

Mitchell guided the Eagles to a 16-14 record last season, but his team lost four scholarships -- three this year and one next season -- because of Coppin's Academic Progress Rate. With 10 scholarship players coming back for another season, Mitchell had no scholarships to give for the 2011 class.

Mitchell also had to deal with questions about his future at Coppin thanks to his expiring contract. In May, after months of uncertainty, the university gave the 63-year-old coach a three-year extension.

While there were no new recruits to talk about this year, Mitchell spoke to Recruiting Report last week about his 2011-12 Eagles squad:

READ MORE

NSU Spartan Baseball Takes 2 from Coppin State, 15-2, 9-2

BALTIMORE, Md. – John Lynch had five hits and six runs batted in, and Ryan Montgomery and James Taylor also had five hits apiece as Norfolk State swept a doubleheader from Coppin State Sunday at Joe Cannon Stadium, 15-2 and 9-2.

Lynch knocked in three runs in each game for the Spartans, who improved to 10-16 overall and 3-1 in the MEAC. Lynch went 5-for-11 and Montgomery 5-for-9 for NSU, which had 16 hits in both games. The 16 hits are a season high.

Game one was a completion of Saturday’s suspended game. NSU led 9-1 in the top of the fifth inning on Saturday when rain halted things. NSU picked up where it left off, adding another run in the fifth, two in the sixth and three in the seventh to end the game early due to the 10-run rule. Lynch had a two-run single in the sixth, while TiQuan Griffin had a two-run double and Taylor an RBI single in the seventh.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Lee Leads Coppin State Eagles to 73-60 Victory over Morgan State

BALTIMORE, MD -- Jordan Lee scored 19 second-half points and Coppin State snapped a six-game losing streak to Morgan State with a convincing 73-60 victory over the Bears in the regular-season finale for both teams on Thursday in the Physical Education Complex.

Lee, who was 0-for-2 from the floor in the second half, dominated the second period. He was 5-of-9 from the floor and made 5-of-8 three-point attempts.

Led by Lee, Coppin State shot a blistering 61.9 percent from the floor in the second half to overcome a 30-28 halftime deficit.

With the victory, Coppin State earned the No. 3 seed in the upcoming Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament. The Eagles will receive a first-round bye and will play the winner of the Norfolk State-Howard game on March 10 at 6 p.m. in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Rival Coppin State Runs Away From Morgan State In Finale, 74-58

BALTIMORE, Md. (March 3, 2011)-Perhaps the only bright spot for Morgan State in the second half of Thursday evening's Battle of Baltimore “East vs. West” game against cross-town rival Coppin State, was Jamesia (Jamie) Smith's near half court shot as the final horn sounded to turn a 19-point deficit into a 16 point loss.

Coppin State's Leola Spotwood recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds, both game-highs and Larrisa Carter added a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead the host Eagles to a 74-58 thumping of Morgan State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) season finale for both teams at the Physical Education Complex (PEC).

Morgan State (16-13, 10-6 MEAC) was led by Smith, who finished with 13 points, while Theresa Davis, who was playing in her first game back, since dealing with an injury following the South Carolina State game (2/14), came off the bench to add 10 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the free throw line.

Box Score: Morgan State 58, Coppin State 74  

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

NSU Spartans zone out, can't solve Coppin State's defense

CSU Eagles Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell

NORFOLK - The Norfolk State Spartans were a bit put off when their league's preseason rankings predicted they would finish sixth in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Now they are a bit put off by the fact that the prediction was correct. Playing lethargically throughout and pinned in by their opponent's well-played zone defense, the Spartans fell 76-69 to Coppin State on Monday night at Echols Hall.

Coupled with fifth-place North Carolina A&T's win at Morgan State, Monday's loss means the Spartans (9-19, 7-8) can finish no higher than sixth, and could finish seventh.

Coleman's Career-High 20 Points Leads Coppin State Over Norfolk State

NORFOLK, Va. – Freshman Kyra Coleman scored a career-high 20 points and also grabbed 11 rebounds as Coppin State snapped a two-game losing streak with a 64-50 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory over Norfolk State on Monday in Echols Hall.

Coleman sparked a second-half rally by the Eagles as she scored 16 of her 20 points after halftime helping Coppin State to overcome a four-point deficit at the intermission. She finished the game 8-of-14 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line.

Coppin State (11-16, 8-7 MEAC) shot 53.3 percent from the floor in the second half, while limiting Norfolk State to just 29.7 percent shooting. The Eagles shot just 22.2 percent in the first half and trailed 24-20 at halftime.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Delaware State Falls to Coppin State "Red Hot" Eagles

Coppin State Eagles Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell

Baltimore, Md. -- Coppin State shot 60% from the field en route to an 89-72 men's basketball win over Delaware State at the CSU Physical Education Complex this evening. The Hornets dropped their third straight, seventh in the last eight games, to fall to 9-17 overall and 5-8 in the MEAC. The Eagles improved to 14-12 and 9-4.

Coppin State was 33—for-55 from the field, including 8 of 16 from three-point territory. Michael Harper led the Eagles with 25 points, highlighted by 6 of 9 shooting from three-point territory. Michael Murray added 16 points (7-10 FGs) for Coppin State.

DSU women win on late 3-pointer

BALTIMORE -- Kianna Conner hit a 3-pointer with 7.6 seconds left to give Delaware State a 51-49 women's basketball win over Coppin State on Monday night.

Coppin State had the last shot, but Shawntae Payne's 3-point try hit the back of the rim as time expired.

The Hornets (9-17, 5-9) won their second straight game. The Eagles fell to 10-15 overall, 7-6 in the MEAC.

Jaleah Holsey hit two free throws with 59 seconds left to put Coppin State ahead.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Coppin State Upends First-Place Bethune-Cookman on Road

Tony Gallo missed all five of his shots in regulation, but made up for it with all eight of his points in overtime as Coppin State upset Bethune-Cookman in overtime, 90-79, in a MEAC contest at Moore Gym in Daytona Beach Saturday.

Gallo went 0-5 in regulation, but outscored BCU 7-1 in the first two minutes of the extra period, part of a 19-8 drubbing in overtime for the Eagles (11-10, 6-3).

C.J. Reed scored a career-high 34 points for the Wildcats (13-10, 7-2), who fell a half-game behind Hampton (18-5, 8-2) for the MEAC lead. Reed sent the game into overtime when he nailed his sixth three-pointer of the game just before the buzzer.

Coppin State Tops Bethune-Cookman 90-79 in Overtime

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Akeem Ellis and Tony Gallo combined to score 15 of Coppin State’s 19 points in overtime leading the Eagles to a 90-79 victory over Bethune-Cookman in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday in Moore Gymnasium.

Led by Ellis and Gallo, Coppin State outscored the Wildcats 19-8 in the extra session to win for the fifth time in the last six games. The Eagles improved to 11-10 overall and 6-3 in the MEAC. Bethune-Cookman, which entered the contest in first place in the MEAC, fell to 13-10 overall and 7-2 in league play.

Eagles Win for Sixth Time in Last Eight Games

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Shawntae Payne led five players in double figures with 14 points and Coppin State used a strong second half shooting performance to defeat Bethune-Cookman 76-57 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game on Saturday in Moore Gymnasium.

Coppin State (8-12, 5-4 MEAC) shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the second half to pull away from the Wildcats. The Eagles won for the sixth time in their last eight games and moved over the .500 mark in conference play at 5-4.

Payne was 6-of-13 from the floor to lead the Eagles, while Leola Spotwood and Larrisa Carter each added 13 points for Coppin State. CSU also received 11 points each from Ashle Craig and Kyra Coleman.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Williams carries Coppin men to 88-70 win over North Carolina A&T

Coppin State University athletic director Derrick Ramsey

Coppin State lists Antonio Williams as a 6-foot-6 forward, although by his own admission, he probably is a shade under that. Whatever his true height, Williams played like a giant Saturday night, grabbing a career-high 18 rebounds in Coppin's 88-70 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rout of North Carolina A&T in the Physical Education Complex.

His athleticism and quickness were too much for Aggies big man Thomas Coleman (6-9), who scored 21 points but answered Williams' strength inside with just eight rebounds.

"I've got a niche for getting the ball," Williams said, explaining his advantage on the boards. "And I'm going to work harder than the other guys."

Brawl breaks out after Coppin State women's basketball game

Coppin State's wrenching, 75-74 loss to North Carolina A&T turned into a half-court melee that lasted several minutes before order was restored at Coppin's Physical Education Complex Saturday.

Moments after players from both teams had performed the post-game handshake, Coppin's 6-foot-3 Jeanine Manley wound up in the middle of several A&T players when the first punches were thrown. Fights spread across the court before peace was achieved.

There were several drops of blood leading from the court to the Coppin locker room, where first head coach Derek Brown and then Coppin athletics director Derrick Ramsey spoke to the players.

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Coppin St 56, Wisconsin 80: Opponents are in a zone, but so is Leuer as Badgers coast

Madison, Wis. — Wisconsin senior Jon Leuer has a new moniker: Zone-buster. Thinking his undersized team could identify and stick with UW's shooters by playing a variety of zone defenses, Coppin State coach Fang Mitchell opened with a 1-2-2 zone.

Leuer opened with 4 consecutive three-pointers in the first 2 minute 54 seconds Thursday night at the Kohl Center. That display set the tone as UW shot 50% from three-point range in opening a 19-point halftime lead and won easily, 80-56.

"I was able to knock down my first couple and get into a rhythm," said Leuer, who hit 5 of 10 three-pointers and 7 of 15 field-goal attempts overall to finish with 19 points. "From there my teammates were finding me in open spots. "I just found myself open a lot."

Oates: A nice win against Coppin State, but the fans were shortchanged by the schedule

Coppin State is one of college basketball's vagabond programs. During the non-conference season, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference team travels around from one men's basketball powerhouse to the next, taking its lumps on the floor in return for a nice paycheck.

It wasn't at all surprising, then, that Coppin State showed up to face the University of Wisconsin at the Kohl Center Thursday night. In the midst of a 12-day stretch during which they play at Connecticut, Kentucky and Texas in addition to UW, the overmatched Eagles were representative of the teams that have come to Madison this season.

Photos
ATTENDANCE: 17,230

READ MORE, CLICK EACH TITLE.

Note: Mainstream sportswriters can write all the criticisms they desire regarding Coppin State University basketball program. Call 'em "vagabond program" or any other name...but at the end of the day, the only thing that really matters is that Coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell is providing opportunity, exposure and experience to his players in competing with elite Division I level programs. Most importantly, he is earning enough capital from these "money games" to support ALL the non-revenue athletic programs at CSU. For that alone, Fang Mitchell is a hall of fame coach who provides countless opportunities to urban youth, who otherwise, would not receive an education and travel exposure beyond Baltimore City limits.

The Eagles are 4-5, 0-1 MEAC and NEXT GAME is at #14 ranked Kentucky on Dec. 28.

-beepbeep

Coppin State signs Bishop McDevitt's Dawan Smith

ATHLETE: Dawan Smith (5-7/160)
SPORT: Baseball
HIGH SCHOOL: Bishop McDevitt, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
COLLEGE: Coppin State University Eagles

THE DETAILS: A quick visit in late April was enough to convince Bishop McDevitt’s swift second baseman that Coppin State would be his next baseball destination. The Crusaders’ lead-off man will join the Eagles of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in the Fall.

THE DECISION: “I met most of the players and they had a real good chemistry, and they have the type of coaches that I need,” said Smith, who was considering Duquesne before the Division I program was terminated. Smith also said interest came from several Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference programs and Virginia Military Institute. “They are the type of coaches that push you to the limit, preach discipline. There are some of the same rules I followed at McDevitt.”

PROJECTED MAJOR: Possibly business management.

THE ATHLETE: Speed is a precious commodity at the next level, so there was little doubt the dangerous Smith would find a spot in the collegiate ranks. After his call-up to the varsity level midway through his sophomore season, Smith gained a ton of attention last summer when he clocked a breezy 6.60 at the American Legion All-East workout. Gaining a “better understanding of the game” this season, Smith rolled up a .380 average from his lead-off position and shared the Mid-Penn Conference lead in stolen bases with 19. “Overall, it’s just the way you think about the game,” said Smith, who tacked on 25 runs for the Crusaders (10-11). “I definitely improved with my bat and defensively.”

PROJECTED MAJOR: Possibly business management.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Harry Williams pays his dues at Coppin State

The comments came from all over at any given time. He'd walk across campus and some-one thanked him. He'd walk into an office and someone thanked him. Sometimes Harry Williams (Potomac H.S.'06, Dumfries, VA) knew the well-wishers and other times he did not, but in either case what mattered most to him was they appreciated his dedication to the Coppin State baseball program. For four years, Williams has been face of an Eagle team that has gone through three coaches and two winless seasons. He's been the top hitter and played his share of different positions to help out wherever he could.

All-MEAC "Mr. Everything" Harry Williams, Jr. is batting .373 in leading the deserving Coppin State University Eagles to the 2010 MEAC Tournament. You gotta love the underdog--Eagles.

Still, it wasn't exactly the college baseball experience Williams hoped for when he signed with Coppin State, but he stuck with it, believing each new season brought a chance for improve-ment even if the end result was just the opposite at times. "All I can do is thank the people for noticing," Williams said. "It makes me feel good inside to see that they see all the hard work I've put in and what's going on." You take what you can take and Williams is pleased that this season was a breakout one for the Eagles.

For the first time since 2006, Coppin State is playing in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tour-nament. The Eagles (13-31 overall, 7-11 in the MEAC) are seeded fifth and open up today against second-seeded North Carolina A&T at 10 a.m. Williams is the main reason the Eagles are at least competitive again. He earned second-team all-conference honors after finishing sixth in the league in hitting .373 while contributing two homers and 30 RBIs.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

NBL’s Wollongong Hawks/South Philly’s Tywain McKee out for remainder of season

The Wollongong Hawks are committed to nursing injured guard Tywain McKee back to full health. Ruled out for the remainder of the season with two stress fractures in his lower back, McKee is expected to stay in Wollongong in the off-season and undergo an extensive rehabilitation process. The Coppin State University graduate has been instrumental in the Hawks' quest for NBL supremacy and the club is keen to foster a good relationship with the skilful playmaker and re-sign him for the 2010-11 season.

"Tywain is a great talent and we want to make sure he receives the best medical attention and is able to recover fully," Wollongong coach Gordie McLeod said. There's no chance Ty will be back this season, so it's about getting him on the road to recovery so he can play down the track. "It's definitely a big loss for the club, no doubt about it. But this is professional sports and it's the game we play. Injuries happen and you just have to work through the adversity and continue to move forward as a team."



McKee was on the Wollongong bench when the Hawks came from behind to beat New Zealand 83-78 on Wednesday night. The 23-year-old said he was devastated by the news and would work hard to overcome his injury. McKee's replacement Luke Martin debuted for the Hawks against the Breakers and will remain with the club until the end of the season. McLeod said McKee's warm personality endeared him to his coaches and team-mates as much as his playing ability.

"It's a killer blow for Ty and it's a setback for the club, because Ty brought some characteristics that really complemented the rest of the group," he said.

Full coverage of the Wollongong Hawks

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

New recruit, Darryl Hudson hopes for a smooth transition

Darryl Hudson, 24, has played at the professional level in Finland and Hungary after completing his education at Howard University. This flick is a game from this first professional season in Finland. Hudson is #5 in orange uniform.

A self-described "military baby", new Wellington Saints import Darryl Hudson hopes to carve out a career Down Under shooting hoops, not guns. The 24-year-old American guard has fashioned a solid basketball resume, playing in the top German and Finnish leagues after graduating from Howard University. And when his American-based trainer, former Australian NBL player Phil Handy, discovered Pero Cameron would be coaching the Saints this season, an unlikely connection was made. "When I had this opportunity, I had to take it," Hudson said.

"My goal is to play in this league and then get to the Australian league. [Handy] knows Pero pretty well and he wanted Pero to check me out. Pero liked me so he brought me here." Hudson seems genuinely excited to be in Wellington and is full of questions about Cameron. "I heard he was kind of a legend, he's like big time around here. Is that right? That's a good thing for our team right there and then he's also playing too. I know he's like the Michael Jordan of New Zealand/Australia, that's what I heard." Hudson hopes to bring his girlfriend out from America to live with him and explains why playing ball on the other side of the world appeals.

"Europe basketball is cool but to play in Australia, man, that's something that a lot of people don't get to do. It's far away, it's far as hell, but it's a good league and I have a couple of friends, like Tywain McKee from Coppin State University [Wollongong Hawks import] that play in that league." Just laidback man, that's my type of lifestyle. People embrace you when you meet them, instead of people just being standoff-ish in Europe, because they don't understand the language."

Hudson chuckles when told Saints chief executive Nick Mills has identified a touch of Boston Celtics superstar Ray Allen in his play. "I would say I'm a smooth player, but I'm not Ray Allen. I like players like Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, the smooth guys, Penny Hardaway, those type of players. I'll try my hardest to be him but ... "

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Morgan Sweeps Rival Coppin State, 65-56 on Senior Night

Corin 'Tiny' Adams is Bears' all-time leading scorer of either gender.

The petite 5-foot-5 guard from Brooklyn, New York, turned down Syracuse University in 2006, to come run the show for the Lady Bears for four straight season.

BALTIMORE, MD - Playing in her final home game at Hill Field House, Corin Adams, scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the first half and fellow senior Kristina Rosario pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds to go with six points, as Morgan State defeated crosstown rival Coppin State, 65-56 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference season finale on Thursday night.

Theresa Davis came off the bench due to senior night and chipped in with 13 points to help the Lady Bears close out the regular season with a 9-1 home mark. Adams, who entered the contest with 535 points this season, finished the regular season with 555, setting the single season scoring record, which she set last season with 547 points.

With the victory Morgan State improved to 17-12 on the season and 12-4 in the MEAC and likely will enter next week’s league tournament as the third seed. Their 12-4 conference mark ties the school record for MEAC victories and is the best overall record, surpassing the 12-6 mark set by the 1999-2000 team.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

Holmes breaks Morgan's scoring record in win over Coppin

Guard passes Webster on Senior Night for MEAC-champion Bears

Reggie Holmes, the hometown hero who helped restore Morgan State basketball to prominence, had the best of farewells at Hill Field House on Thursday night. Playing before a packed house in his final home game, Holmes broke Marvin Webster's all-time scoring record at Morgan with a 36-point effort and a 74-54 victory over Coppin State. The Bears finished the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season with a 15-1 record and their third straight title. They go into next week's MEAC tournament as the prohibitive favorite and No. 1 seed.

Morgan (24-9 overall) pulled away in the second half against a depleted Coppin team beset by injuries and suspensions. The only suspense was how - and when - Holmes would eclipse The Eraser, as the 7-foot-1 Webster was known. The 6-4 senior from St. Frances needed 33 to get the record. He had 19 in the first half and steadily chipped away in the second. With seven minutes left, after hitting his sixth 3, he had 29 points. Two minutes later he was perfect on another 3 that tied Webster's total. And with 4:24 remaining, he got off a 2-point shot as he was fouled. It dropped to give him 34 and the school record. Holmes pumped his fist in quiet celebration.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:

Morgan State routs Coppin State 74-54

Home finale for Morgan's little big woman

Morgan Sweeps Rival Coppin State, 65-56 on Senior Night

Morgan Sweeps Rival Coppin State, 65-56 on Senior

Holmes gets one more chance at home to score big for Bears

UMES Hawks Don't Disappoint on Homecoming

Coach Frankie Allen: 'It was a game that we felt we had to win.'

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team looked to finish off the tail end of a homecoming doubleheader on a winning note Saturday. With the help of big runs in the first and second halves, UMES eased to a 66-52 victory over Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference rival Coppin State. It was the Hawks' first homecoming win in eight years. "It's a great feeling," UMES coach Frankie Allen said. "So much is put into your homecoming, and we had a big crowd, and it was a game that we felt we had to win."

The beginning of the game saw both teams struggle on the offensive end, with the score being 3-3 after the first five minutes. The offensive woes continued for both teams, for it was close to the 10-minute mark before either team reached double digits when UMES guard Josh Bright hit two free throws to break a 9-9 tie. After Bright's free throws, the Hawks (9-18, 7-6 MEAC) went on to outscore Coppin State by a 17-12 margin to end the half, capped by a Hillary Haley 3-pointer in the closing seconds. The Eagles (7-18, 2-10) were sluggish following the break, and were outscored 14-2 by the Hawks in the first five minutes of the half.

READ MORE, CLICK TITLE.

This time, Morgan defeats Coppin in MEAC

Bears withstand Eagles' late charge to reach MEAC tournament final, 75-67.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - When Morgan State rebuffed one last, desperate rush from Tywain McKee and Coppin State last night, the Bears were finally able to let go of their 2008 nightmare. McKee's torrid 30-point performance almost brought Coppin back from an 18-point deficit in the second half, but Morgan escaped Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum with a 75-67 victory that was as much backyard brawl as it was tournament basketball.

The Real Deal! Morgan State Coach Todd Bozeman is on the cusp of leading his second Bears team to the NCAA Tournament with the Morgan Bears projected at a 15th seed, if they win the MEAC Tournament. Bozeman led the California Golden Bears to three NCAA Tournaments in '93, '94 and '96 and made the Sweet 16 at age 29, the youngest coach ever to do so.

The win sent the No.1-seeded Bears (22-11) into tonight's 7 o'clock Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference final in search of their first NCAA Division I tournament berth. They still have to beat Norfolk State, which outlasted South Carolina State, 74-71, in last night's second semifinal. A year ago, Morgan was denied that opportunity when Coppin pulled a 62-60 upset in the MEAC final. This year the Battle of Baltimore was played out in the semifinals, but with eerie similarities to last season.

"They're crosstown rivals, and we see them a lot in the summer," Morgan's Rogers Barnes said, seated at an interview table with teammates Reggie Holmes and Jermaine "Itchy" Bolden.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

What ESPN is saying about Morgan State and Coach Bozeman...

"The (NCAA) committee doesn't have to worry about two bids out of the MEAC Saturday. But if Morgan State can beat Norfolk State in Winston-Salem, N.C., it could cause a ripple on two fronts. Former banished Cal coach Todd Bozeman would be back in the NCAAs after a 12-year absence and would complete one of the remarkable career turnaround, while the Bears, who beat Maryland by the way, might be an intriguing 15-seed instead of a 16. That would be great news for a conference constantly looking for some positive pub. "

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Morgan State cruises to win
Norfolk State beats South Carolina State 74-71
Spartans move into MEAC final
Lyons' long 3-pointer falls, and NSU moves on
MEAC WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT Hawks stuck in semis rut
Rematch with ex-coach in final
Redemption within reach for A&T's women
A&T women will play for title
Holmes, Bolden Combine To Send Morgan State to Finals
MEAC brings in money for Winston-Salem
MEAC CHEERLEADING CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR CHAMPIONSHIP SATURDAY
FAMU Foster, Taylor honored for academics
Hampton eliminates FAMU

Morgan State spoils finale at Coppin Center

Coppin State guard Tywain McKee is going out just as he came in, still hungry, still driven, still looking to refine his game.

Morgan State got a tournament-type atmosphere in its regular-season finale tonight. The Bears responded to their neighborhood rivalry with Coppin State with a frenetic 68-62 victory that brought down the curtain on Coppin Center. The Bears got a game-high 23 points from Reggie Holmes to notch their second straight 20-win season and head into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament with momentum -- they've won 12 of their past 14 -- and the No. 1 seed.

Morgan (20-11, 13-3) trailed only in the opening minutes and led by 12 points in the second half but couldn't put away the Eagles (12-18, 9-7). "We still haven't hit on all cylinders," Bears coach Todd Bozeman said. "We still have a level we want to get to. You just don't want to finish the season without reaching that level. We aren't where we were, but we also aren't quite where we want to be." On an emotional night that saw Tywain McKee played his final regular-season game for the Eagles and the last men's game on this floor, Coppin got within three points with 23 seconds to play.

Attendance: 1,720.

CONTINUE READING, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
SportsCenter Co-Host Jay Harris to Emcee 2009 MEAC Basketball ...
Tournament pairings set for MEAC men, women
www.MEAChoops.com
Coppin's McKee overcame daunting obstacles off the court
Coppin State Holds Off Morgan State in Season Finale, 61-53
HOLMES’ 23 POINTS HELPS BEARS SINK COPPIN STATE, 68-62
Morgan State is top seed for MEAC Men's Tournament
Morgan keeps rolling heading into MEAC tournament

#4 Oklahoma shoots down Coppin State Eagles, 93-62

Coppin State University head basketball coach Ron 'Fang' Mitchell and the Eagles faces Big 12 -Missouri (12-2) next in a January 6th game televised by Fox Sports Midwest.

Coppin State has now lost 32 straight games vs. ranked opponents.

Oklahoma vs. Coppin State Basketball Photo Gallery
Final Stats

NORMAN, OK -- Oklahoma was looking for a fast start on Saturday, and Tony Crocker was more than happy to provide it. The junior guard scored 15 of his team-high 20 points in the opening half, helping the fourth-ranked Sooners roll to a 93-62 win over Coppin State. Four days earlier at Arkansas, the Sooners (13-1) lost for the first time when they fell behind 21-8 early and trailed by as many as 25 before mounting a frantic comeback.

Although Coppin State (2-11) did not figure to present a challenge for Oklahoma, coach Jeff Capel was adamant about his team opening the game with more energy. "We definitely wanted to get off to a good start -- play with a sense of urgency. I thought we did that today," said Capel, whose team opened with an 11-2 run and never trailed. Crocker, who hit six 3-pointers and scored 18 points in the loss to Arkansas, played a key role early by burying a 3 just 16 seconds in, and added three more 3-pointers before the half. Crocker's fourth 3 of the half pushed OU's lead to 31-11, and Willie Warren followed seconds later with another 3-point basket that kept the Lloyd Noble Center crowd on its feet.

CONTINUE READING, VIEW VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS - CLICK BLOG TITLE.

Next: OU closes out the non-conference portion of its regular season schedule at home against MEAC foe (2-8) Maryland Eastern Shore (Monday at 7 p.m.). "When" Oklahoma wins, it will post the best regular season non-conference record (14-1) since 1987-88 (15-1).