Morgan headed to NCAA tournament for second straight year

"Once you drink from that cup, you want more," said Morgan State University Coach Todd Bozeman, who will make his fifth NCAA appearance in eight years as a Division I coach; he was 3-for-4 at University of California, Berkeley.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Kevin Thompson lived through the culture shock of playing against Oklahoma and Blake Griffin in last year's NCAA tournament. In terms of lessons learned, that experience might have paved the way for Morgan State's return to the big stage. Thompson punched the ticket for the Bears' second straight trip to the NCAA tournament Saturday, delivering a 68-61 victory over South Carolina State in the championship game of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

His dominant performance - 18 points, 10 rebounds, five blocked shots - was his second double double in three games here and earned him the Outstanding Performer award of the tournament. More than that, it might have been the formal coming-out party for the 6-foot-8 sophomore from Walbrook. In a game in which the Bears (27-9) surged and sagged, took a 10-point lead and gave it up, Thompson was a constant force inside that the smaller Bulldogs (18-14) had no answer for. Even though South Carolina State out-rebounded the Bears 36-32, it was Morgan's relentless inside game that made the difference. In a seven-point victory, the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 34-16 in the paint.

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Morgan's Todd Bozeman does it his way

Turnaround of MSU Bears shows compromises aren't an option for the determined Coach Todd Bozeman. With 82 wins and three championships in four seasons, the Bears are dominating the MEAC and are ready to make some noise in the NCAA Tournament.

Even after the severe NCAA sanctions, the cold shoulder from needy colleges and the long fall from grace to Morgan State, Todd Bozeman was in no mood to make concessions. Especially not in the players he brought to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. If there was any doubt about his approach, it was dispelled in a phone conversation with a coaching rival shortly after Bozeman took over Morgan's struggling basketball program in the spring of 2006. The coaching rival had a friendly suggestion and the name of a marginal player Bozeman might want to check out. Bristling, Bozeman wanted no part of the suggestion or the player.

"He said, 'This is the kind of player you're going to be able to get in the MEAC,' " Bozeman remembered. "I said, 'I don't recruit like that. I'm going to recruit the players I want, [and] I want players who can play at a high level."

Four years, 82 wins and three regular-season titles later, Bozeman took the right track. When his top-seeded Bears (24-9) open defense of their MEAC championship in a quarterfinal at 7 tonight in Winston-Salem, N.C., the rest of the conference will be playing catch-up. After a get-acquainted season in 2006-07, Bozeman's Bears have dominated the MEAC, going 42-6 in conference play over three years. They advanced to the NCAA Division I tournament in 2009 for the first time in school history and will play in a postseason tourney this year for the third straight season regardless of what unfolds in Winston-Salem.

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Coach Bozeman's recruits at Morgan read like a Who's Who of MEAC basketball: Reggie Holmes (2010) and Jamar Smith (2008) are MEAC Players of the Year; Kevin Thompson (2010) and Boubacar Coly (2008) are Defensive Players of the Year; Dewayne Jackson is this year's MEAC Rookie of the Year. Photo: MSU #4 Boubacar Coly (6'-10") MEAC Defensive Player of Year - 2008

Baltimore's best-kept basketball secret


If you haven’t seen my feature on Morgan State senior guard Reggie Holmes, Baltimore’s best-kept basketball secret, check it out below. Holmes is a local product who starred at Southern High then St. Frances, then went on to become the all-time leading scorer at Morgan last week.

Before Holmes, Jamar Smith (2008) was MEAC Player of the Year.

Holmes has averaged 22.4 points per game in his senior season. Even though he’s among the Division I leaders in shot attempts, he’s an unselfish player who is greatly respected by his teammates and coach (I discuss this hardcourt dichotomy in the story). Holmes has shot 39.7 percent from the field this season, including 37.0 percent from beyond the arc. The slick shooter is a throwback, and a lot of fun to watch. If you didn’t get the chance to see him play, you missed out.

Laidback assassin: An inside look at Reggie Holmes, Morgan's sharpshooter

Reggie Holmes likes to say he cares only about winning, because if the W's pile up, the individual accolades will take care of themselves. What may seem like a canned quote belies the fact that he really means it. But the senior guard realized the magnitude of the moment as a silky-smooth two-pointer Thursday night solidified his place in Morgan State hoops history. The basket, which came late in the second half of the Bears' 74-54 victory over Coppin State, pushed the 22-year-old Cherry Hill native past the late Marvin Webster, a Baltimore legend, to become the school's all-time leading scorer.

"Breaking that record, it feels good," said Holmes, who finished with 36 points. "Where I'm from, being the all-time leading scorer at a Division I college, it means a lot." In four seasons on Cold Spring Lane, Holmes hasn't always been flashy, but there is plenty of substance to his game. He can dunk but settles for layups. He can dangle the ball on a string but keeps it simple instead of trying to break an opponent's ankles with a crossover dribble. And instead of being a ballhog, he uses his high hoops IQ to get his teammates involved.

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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.

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Morgan State routs Coppin State 74-54

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Morgan Sweeps Rival Coppin State, 65-56 on Senior

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

Bears Avoid Upset, Capture 3rd Consecutive MEAC Regular Season Title

Morgan State University Coach Todd Bozeman has done the impossible--re-making the Bears into a Mid-major powerhouse in a three year span.

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Kevin Thompson had 21 points and 10 rebounds and Ameer Ali added 10 points to help the Bears pull out a come-from-behind 65-61 victory over MD-Eastern Shore on Monday night. Reggie Holmes, one of the leading scorers in the nation, was held well below his average of 22 point per game, however he hit critical free throws in the final seconds to help the Bears clinch their third consecutive regular season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship. The Bears, who improved to 21-9 overall and 12-1 in the conference, got a lot of help down the stretch as the Hawks wasted away opportunities from the free throw line.

With the score knotted 56-56 with 1:27 remaining on the clock, the Hawks went 1-for-5 from the stripe. Meanwhile the Bears went 4-for- 7 from the stripe, including three by Holmes, which turned out to be the difference in the ballgame. Tim Burns finished with a game-high 23 points (7-10 FG) for MD-Eastern Shore (9-19, 7-7 MEAC), which has not beaten Morgan State in four seasons. Kevin White added 16 points with seven assists and Neal Pitt recorded 11 points with 14 points off of the bench for the Hawks. The Hawks led 34-27 at halftime, but they were facing the best team in the league and the second half proved to be the difference.

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Murray State Racers set school record for win streak, down Morgan State

You couldn't dream much more of a senior night for a trio of Murray State basketball players. A national television audience, a record-setting victory over a tough non-conference foe and a sneak preview of the intensity of March. But Danero Thomas and the rest of the Racers weren't thinking much about it after Saturday's 75-66 victory over Morgan State at the Regional Special Events Center on ESPNU.

“When we cut down the nets in Nashville, I'll think about it then,” the senior from New Orleans said after the Racers outlasted an equally as hot Bear team in a slugfest between two of the nation's top mid-major teams. The win was a school-record 17th at home and pushed the Racer record to 26-3 overall. And it came against an opponent that owns 20 wins on their resume. Morgan State fell to 20-9 overall and is 12-1 in the MEAC.

GAME BOXSCORE Morgan State coverage GORACERS.COM

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Morgan State Bears Knocks Off WSSU Rams for 11th Straight Win

Coach Todd Bozeman Bears continues to roll -- to 19th win of season (19-7, 10-0 MEAC).

BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes scored 26 points in Morgan State’s 79-65 win over non-conference opponent Winston-Salem State on Saturday that extended the Bears’ winning streak to 11 games. “We’re happy about the victory,” Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman said after the Bears (19-7, 10-0) improved to 8-0 at Hill Field House this season. “You value any win you get in Division I, the tough part is playing a team like this (non-conference) in the middle of your conference season. I’m just glad we were able to pull through.”

Morgan State jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but the Rams woke up and trimmed the lead to 13-10 with 12:23 left in the first half. DeWayne Jackson ignited a 10-3 spurt by scoring seven points during a four minute stretch to help give the Bears a 23-13 lead. The Bears went into the intermission with a 42-24 lead. Holmes, who entered the game ranked among the nation's leading scorers (22.2 ppg), dropped in 15 points in the first half, and surpassed Yarharborough Roberts as the No. 3 all-time leading scorer in Morgan State history. The senior finished the contest with 26 points (13-15 FT) and has amassed 1,837 points for his career.

Boxscore

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Bethune-Cookman comes up short vs. Morgan State Bears

Without a doubt, Coach Todd Bozeman's Morgan State Bears are the hottest program in the Mid-Majors. The 2009 MEAC Champion Bears have moved to No. 17 in the latest Mid-Major Poll.




BALTIMORE, MD -- Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman 48-47 on Monday night to remain perfect in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The Bears trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left, before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats regained the lead, 47-46, on a Jarrell Thomas 3 with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, B-CU had two chances for the win. C.J. Reed missed a jumper with 6 seconds left and Albert Abrahams, who came down with the offensive rebound, missed a layup with 4 seconds left, giving the Bears their eighth-straight win. The Bears shot 34 percent (16-of-47) from the field and the nation's No. 6 scorer, Reggie Holmes (22.8 points per game), was held to six points.

Morgan remains unbeaten in MEAC

Troy Smith made two free throws with 37 seconds left and Morgan State overcame Bethune-Cookman, 48-47, to remain undefeated in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. The host Bears (18-7, 10-0) trailed 42-38 with 4:34 left before scoring five straight. Smith's 3-point play put Morgan State up 43-42 with 2:56 remaining. The Wildcats (15-9, 6-4) regained the lead, 47-46, on a 3-pointer by Jarrell Thomas with 1:02 left. After Smith's free throws put the Bears up, Bethune-Cookman had two chances for the win.

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No. 20 Morgan State bury FAMU Rattlers behind Holmes, Jackson

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leading scorer, Reggie Holmes, MSU Bears.

BALTIMORE, Md. – Reggie Holmes and freshman DeWayne Jackson scored 25 points apiece and Morgan State (No. 20 in Mid-Major Top 25 Poll) extended its winning streak with a lopsided victory by routing Florida A&M 94-68 on Sunday at Hill Field House. Holmes, who entered the contest ranked No. 5 among the nation’s leading scorers, poured in 17 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.

Kevin Thompson, who entered tonight’s game ranked No. 4 in the nation in rebounding, collected his 15th double-double of the season by posting 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with two blocked shots. Sean Thomas added a career-high 11 assists. Morgan State, who improved to 17-7 overall and 9-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, shot 54.8 percent overall and 58.6 percent during the second half, using a big surge in the second half to extend their lead to as many as 33 points and claim their sixth home win of the season.

Travis Wallace had 14 points to lead Florida A&M (6-17, 2-7) who fell to the Bears for the third consecutive time. Christopher Walker chipped in 12 points and Yannick Crowder finished with 11 points for the Rattlers.

Boxscore

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DePaul head coach speculation: Morgan State's Todd Bozeman

In his thoughts today, Ken Pomeroy asks that someone give Morgan State head coach Todd Bozeman (right) a chance. And quite honestly, there is nothing on his coaching resume on the court to discourage the notion that Bozeman is an excellent basketball coach. He won at California and he's winning at Morgan State - a school that hadn't had a winning season since 1989 before he took over - and his team is now on the verge of going undefeated during the regular season in conference.

Morgan State plays in the MEAC, but that hasn't stopped them from compiling an impressive 17-7 record and a 129 ranking in Pomeroy. That record should only continue to improve as the Golden Bears beat up on other MEAC squads. This is a team that won at Arkansas and lost by 9 at Louisville. They can play.

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Morgan State Announces 23-Member Signing Class

BALTIMORE, Md. — Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley announced Wednesday the signing of 23 players to national letters of intent to play for the Bears beginning next fall. The list released Wednesday consists of 15 high school signees and seven junior-college recruits and a Division I transfer.

Overall, the twenty-three (23) signees included eight (8) offensive linemen, five (5) linebackers, four (wide receivers), one (1) defensive linemen, one (1) running back, one (1) free safety, one (1) quarterback and one (1) athlete. The Bears signed eight (8) from high school and two (2) JUCO transfers and one Division I transfer. Following is a player-by-player breakdown of the class, with statistics and honors.

Morgan State University Football 2010 National Letter of Intent Signees

Nicholas Harris, OT, 6-6, 300, Eden Prairie, Minn./Eden Prairie HS
Notes: A first-team All-Conference selection…Selected to the All-Metro Team … All-Metro Star Tribune

Jerome June, DE, 6-3, 240, Waldorf, Md./Gwynn Park HS
Notes: First-team All-PG County…2nd Team All-Metro … Maryland Crab Bowl 2009… Led the county with 18 sacks

Jordan Brooks, RB, 6-2, 220, Germantown, Md./Rutgers
Notes: First-team … Arrived as a fullback at Rutgers before being converted to running back his freshman year, rushed for 346 yards and five touchdowns this past season

Charles Sanderson, OG, 6-3, 310, Birmingham, Ala./Clay-Chalkville HS
Notes: First-team All-District … Honorable Mention All-Metro.

Robert Hayes, OT, 6-3, 330, Memphis, Tenn./Kirby HS

Tyrone Hendrix, WR, 6-1, 190, Tampa Bay, Fla./New Mexico Military Institute
Notes: 40 rec. for 800 yards …1400 all-purpose yards … 7 TDs

Robert Preston, WR, 5-11, 175, Brandywine, Md./Gwynn Park HS
Notes: NCC Honorable Mention in 2008 … NCC All-Conference 2009 … 47 rec. for 500 yds and 8 TDs

Andre Nelson, ATH, 5-9, 180, Mortow, Pa./Valley Forge Military Academy
Notes: All-East/West Pennsylvania Team … 1st Team All-Conference … All-Purpose Player 2008 and 2009…Fastest Man in Pennsylvania Award

Tavarus Dantzler, LB, 6-3, 210, Homestead, Fla./Homestead Senior HS
Notes: First-Team All District

Mike Dozier, DT, 6-3, 310, Homestead, Fla./Homestead Senior HS
Notes: North-South Dade All-Star team … All-Conference first team

Mike Bogdanovich, LB, 6-2, 220, Santa Rosa JC/Windsor HS
Notes: Defensive Player of the Year on his team …2nd Team All-Metro … 2007 Redwood Empire Defensive Player of the Year

Jerel Coles, WR, 6-0, 190, Upper Marlboro, Md./Gwynn Park HS
Notes: 2007 All State … 2008 Preseason All-American … 2008 First Team All-PG County

Dominick Bryan, LB, 6-0, 210, Marimar, Fla./Marimar HS
Notes: First Team All Broward County … Dade-Broward All-Star Game … Three Year starter …Led team in tackles with 153 and 3 INTts…2009 6A State Champions

Stephen Blissett, LB, 6-0, 210, Pembroke Pines, Fla./Marimar HS
Notes: Second Team All-Broward County…Dade-Broward All-Star game…Two year starter…2009 6A State Champs

Yusef Dosu, WR, 6-1, 190, Oroville, Calif./College of Sequoias JC
Notes: 41 rec. for 510 yards … 6 TDs

Taylor Pass, OG, 6-3, 335, Athens, Ga./Georgia Military College
Notes: Two time All-Region …Two-Time All-First team All-Georgia Team … Two time First Team All-Northeast Georgia … selected to Terrific 10 in 2007 and 2008

Eddie Turner, OL, 6-2, 355, Memphis. Tenn/Wooddale HS
Notes: Three year captain…All-District and All-Metro in 2009 … member of DECA and FBLA…Volunteer for St. Jude Can Food Drive

Devonte Lindsey, QB, 6-4, 220, Bowie, Md./Suitland HS
Notes: NewChannel 8 2009 Player of the Year … All-PG County …PG County All-Star team

Michael Dallas, LB, 6-0, 205, Miami, Fla./Miami-Palmetto HS
Notes: First team All-Dade 2008 and 2009 …

Darren Pinnock, OG, 6-4, 330, Miami, Fla./Miami-Palmetto HS
Notes: South Dade All-Star … Honorable All-County 2009

Chris Jones, OL, 6-4, 320, Jacksonville, N.C./Hargrave Military Academy

Reshaude Miller, FS, 6-5, 205, Florence, S.C./Feather River JC
Notes: Led conference with 7 INTs

Clarence Swain, OL, 6-2, 275, Fayetteville, Ga./Fayetteville, Ga.
Notes: First team All-District .

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Morgan State -- Maryland Agree in Principle to Meet in 2010 Football

COLLEGE PARK, MD - Maryland and Morgan State have agreed in principle to meet in football during the 2010 season, officials from the schools said Tuesday. It would be the first time the universities - located just 36 miles apart - have played in football. The game, which would be played at Byrd Stadium in College Park, would mean that Maryland's non conference schedule would include two in-state schools. The Terps are already scheduled to face Navy next season at M&T Bank Stadium (Baltimore).

Maryland is also scheduled to renew its rivalry with West Virginia next season in Morgantown. No announcement has yet been made by Maryland or Morgan State pending the signing of contracts. Reached by The Baltimore Sun, two Morgan athletic officials and a Maryland official said Tuesday that an agreement had been reached in principle and that details could be completed soon. They all said the game would be played in September.


Playing Maryland would give Morgan State, a Football Championship Subdivision team that plays in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, a chance to gain valuable media exposure. The men's basketball team upset Maryland last season and later reached the NCAA tournament. The Bears began 5-1 in football last season and finished 6-5, 4-4 in the MEAC. The team's toughest non conference game last season was against Akron, which won, 41-0. Morgan State football coach Donald Hill-Eley declined to comment. "As soon as the school has a signed contract, he'll be the first one to speak with you," Morgan State athletics spokesman Leonard Haynes IV said.

----------------
Morgan State is scheduled to play the following programs listed below in 2010. The Bears are seeking one out-of-conference money game to replace Akron. Local rival Towson is not on Morgan's schedule for 2010 and the Tigers are scheduled to play at Indiana in a Thursday night, Sept 2, money-game opener. Expect MEAC newcomer North Carolina Central University Eagles to replace Towson and to play the Bears in Baltimore. Winston-Salem State University Rams drops from the Bears schedule as they move back to the CIAA and Division II.

Morgan State 2010 Football Schedule
At University of Maryland
Home Bethune-Cookman University
At North Carolina A&T State University
At Howard University
Home Delaware State University
At Florida A&M University
At Norfolk State University
Home South Carolina State University
Home Hampton University

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Morgan State 83, Manhattan 74

MSU Bears Reggie Holmes waxes the Jaspers with 31 points, hitting 4 of 6 three's.

Holmes scores 31 in Morgan's win over Manhattan

Reggie Holmes scored 31 points and Morgan State held off Manhattan 83-74 on Saturday.
Troy Smith came off the bench to score 12 points, and Kevin Thompson had 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Bears (6-4). The Bears led 33-28 at halftime and never trailed in the second half. Leading 50-49 with 9:38 to play, the Bears went on a 9-0 run to put the game out of reach, capped by a jumper by Joe Davis for a 59-49 lead with 8:17 to play. The Bears built their largest lead at 78-65 with 1:18 to play on a pair of free throws by Troy Smith. Morgan State shot 46.2 percent from the field (24 of 52) while the Jaspers shot 37.1 percent (23 of 62).

The expression of Morgan State Bears Coach Todd Bozeman says it all--Please, tell me these scores are a mistake. The MEAC and SWAC really didn't get beat like this!

SCORES FROM AROUND THE MEAC...

West Virginia 69 (7-0), Coppin State 43 (5-4)
Arizona State 76 (7-3), Delaware State 34 (4-4)
Miami (FL) 91 (9-1) S. Carolina State 54 (5-2)
Central Fla. 63 (7-2), Bethune Cookman 50 (5-4)Minnesota 94, Morgan State 64 (12/8/09)

SCORES FROM AROUND THE SWAC ...

Chattanooga 82 (5-4), MVSU 60 (1-8)
S. Illinois 82 (5-2), Alabama State 63 (1-6)
Southern 78 (1-8), New Orleans 73 (5-3)

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Appalachian State 93, Morgan State 92

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Final Stats (.html)
Final Stats (.pdf)

Appalachian State beats Morgan State 93-92 in OT

BOONE, N.C. — Andre Williamson sank a free throw with 18 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Appalachian State to a 93-92 win over Morgan State on Saturday night. Williamson, who went 9-for-10 from the free throw line, was fouled after grabbing a defensive rebound. He missed the first attempt, then sank the second for the game-winner. Williamson finished with 13 points. Donald Sims, who led the Mountaineers (2-3) with 19 points, hit two free throws to tie the game 90-90.

Booth, Williamson lift Mountaineers over Morgan State

Appalachian State had been down the road of overtime before, but could not beat Arkansas. Faced with overtime again, the Mountaineers beat a team that beat Arkansas. Appalachian State got a clutch 3-point shot from Jeremi Booth to tie Morgan State, and then nailed 8-of-10 foul shots in the overtime period to beat the Bears 93-92 in front of 1,576 fans at the Holmes Center Saturday night. Morgan State (4-2), which beat Arkansas 97-94 on Nov. 24, held an 80-75 lead with 38.7 seconds left after Reggie Holmes hit one of two free throws. But Appalachian State (3-3) responded with a 3-pointer from Donald Sims, and a foul shot by Sims on the Mountaineers' next two possessions to close to within 80-79.

After Troy Smith canned two free throws for Morgan State, Jeremi Booth nailed a 3-pointer from the left side of the court to tie the game at 82-82 with .7 seconds left in regulation. "Sims got me the ball and I was open," Booth said. "I let it go and fortunately it went in." Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman blamed a mental breakdown on defense as the reason Booth was open along the perimeter. The Bears guarded Sims, but backed off of Booth when he got the ball. "We were backing off the guy at the end there," Bozeman said. "We generally are pretty good at guarding the 3-point line. But to be backing off the guy, it's like a sin in our book. We backed off and that's a mental breakdown. Basically we relaxed."

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MEAC power Morgan State -- No Cupcake for Majors

Morgan State stuns Arkansas, ends Razorbacks' 45-game home win streak

First win over SEC team in MSU school history.



Having come up nine points short against 20th-ranked Louisville Sunday night, Morgan State's Reggie Holmes was determined to redeem himself against Arkansas Tuesday and did so in a spectacular way. Holmes hit two free throws with 6.3 seconds left and held his breath as Rotnei Clark's 3-pointer clanged off iron before celebrating a wild 97-94 upset of the Razorbacks. The victory before 7,500 fans snapped Arkansas' 45-game home win streak at Bud Walton Arena against non-conference opponents, the second longest in the nation. Holmes finished the game with 34 points. In Sunday's 90-81 loss to Louisville, Holmes scored only nine points before he, Kevin Thompson, DeWayne Jackson and Rodney Stokes all fouled out.

"I'm proud of my guys, it was a hard fought victory," MSU head coach Todd Bozeman told the Morgan State sports information office. "I thought in the first half we fouled a lot, and we just came off a game where a team shot 41 free throws against us. It looked as though we were going in that direction, but they shot 45 and we ended up shooting 41." Indeed, the Bears hit 34 of 41 free throws, while the Razorbacks (2-2) made 35 of their 45 attempts. Joe Davis came off the bench to score 18 points for the Bears (4-1), while Thompson had a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds.






















Morgan State Bears upend Razorbacks

FAYETTEVILLE, AR — Morgan State's Bears aren't just better than Arkansas comparing scores with Louisville. They are just better than Arkansas. They proved it head to head Tuesday night, beating the Razorbacks 97-94 at Walton Arena. Rotnei Clarke, hitting threes with 14.5 and 6.5 seconds left to keep the Hogs in it, air-balled his last desperate try at a tying trey as time expired. That enabled the two free throws Reggie Holmes sank at 6.3 seconds to give the Bears their final victory margin. It was the last thing Holmes did to achieve victory but hardly the first. Holmes scored a game-high 34 points including 4 of 4 free throws in the final 13 seconds. Morgan State, which had lost 90-81 to Louisville in Louisville compared to Arkansas' 96-66 loss to Louisville in neutral site St. Louis, advances to 4-1. The Razorbacks fall to 2-2

Louisville basketball downs Morgan State 90-81

With eight freshmen or sophomores on the roster, University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino doesn't expect huge strides from game to game. “Baby steps,” Pitino said on Sunday. The Cardinals took a few more of those baby steps, using better shot selection and some timely defense to beat Morgan State 90-81 for a second win in less than 24 hours before 18,942 fans in Freedom Hall. U of L led by 16 points and was really never threatened. “We're learning and getting better,” Pitino said. “This was a better performance tonight in terms of what we tried to accomplish. We did a nice job.”

The Bears (3-1), who made the NCAA Tournament last season, made just 29 of 71 shots (40.8 percent), including 5 of 20 three-point tries (25 percent). “Louisville is a very good team,” said Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman, the former coach at California. “They're going to have an outstanding season. I'm just glad we don't have to play them again.”

Armed with a new five year contract, Coach Todd Bozeman Bears goes after a 30 win season, another MEAC title and NCAA tournament berth. The Bears were 23-12 last season with signature wins at Maryland, DePaul and Marshall. Bozeman has a career record of 62-42 at MSU and MEAC record of 37-13. Known as a strong recruiter, in four seasons as head coach at the University of California - Berkeley, he lead the Golden Bears to a 63-35 record (64.3 pct.), three NCAA Tournament bids in four years, and was the youngest coach to ever reach the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen".

Photo Gallery: Morgan State at UofL
Photo Gallery: Morgan State at UofL 2
Game stats: U of L vs. Morgan State (11/22/09)

Holmes scores career-high 30 to lead Morgan State to 72-61 win over East Tenessee State ...

BALTIMORE, MD — Reggie Holmes scored a career-high 30 points and Morgan State beat East Tennessee State 72-61 on Thursday night. Holmes was 9-for-18 from the field, including 4-for-9 on 3-point attempts for the Bears (3-0). He also had three steals. Rodney Stokes added 12 points for the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions. The Bears led by as many as 18 points in the first half and built a 22-point advantage in the second half before the Buccaneers began to chip away. Tommy Hubbard had 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Buccaneers (1-2), playing their second of three straight games against 2009 NCAA tournament participants.

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Morgan State beats UAlbany 69-65

First season opener win since 1988.
ALBANY Senior guard Reggie Holmes scored 23 points to lead Morgan State to a 69-65 victory over the University at Albany in the Great Danes home opener at SEFCU Arena on Friday night. UAlbany (0-2) held a 60-56 lead but went the final 7 minutes, 40 seconds without a field goal. Junior guard Tim Ambrose scored 21 points and senior forward Will Harris added 18 points for the Great Danes, who committed 20 turnovers that led to 28 Morgan State points. The Bears (1-0), the defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, won their opening game for the first time since 1988.

UAlbany-Morgan State postgame thoughts

Here are some comments from UAlbany coach Will Brown and others after the Great Danes dropped their home opener 69-65 to Morgan State before 3,434 fans at SEFCU Arena. “I can’t be upset,” Brown said. “I told our guys in the locker room, I think we did a lot of good things against a quality, quality team.” Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman said he was touched by a text message he got before the game from freshman forward Anthony Anderson, who is battling leukemia. Morgan State’s players were wearing patches with Anderson’s No. 4 in his honor. Anderson is undergoing chemotherapy.

“He texted us this morning and told us that he loved us and he wanted to go out and play hard,” Bozeman said. “And at the end, he said, ‘Remember fellas, we’re grinders.’ And it just broke my heart. The kid’s a great kid, 19 years old … That’s kind of what was on our mind there. Those guys fought hard to not let big Anthony down.”

Morgan State - Team Notes -

When Todd Bozeman got to Morgan State, the Bears had never been to the NCAA Tournament, won a conference championship or even played in the title game of the MEAC tourney. Three years later, Morgan State has done all of that, and is favored in the preseason poll to do it again. Bozeman has achieved that feat by instituting a tough-minded culture, targeting talent from the surrounding Baltimore area in recruiting and taking on other schools from around the state of Maryland.

This season, a 1-2 punch of Reggie Holmes and Kevin Thompson leads the way for the Bears. Holmes, a 6-4 guard, is a first team all-conference selection who led the team in scoring and played more than 1,000 minutes last season. Thompson was one of the league's top newcomers as a redshirt freshman and was third in the league in rebounding. Bozeman adds junior college transfer Danny Smith to the mix to replace departed starter Itchy Bolden. Big man Rodney Stokes returns at the five spot.Troy Smith and Ameer Ali also return to the roster, as does sophomore guard Sean Thomas. The X-factor is Joe Davis, active after transferring to the Bears last season from Cleveland State.

Morgan plays for ailing teammate, Anthony Anderson

Morgan State is chafing to step onto the basketball court, having reached the NCAA tournament for the first time last year, where the perks piqued the Bears' appetite. "We had charter flights [to the game], police escorts to practice and workouts in front of the national media," said Ameer Ali, a sophomore forward. "Once you've been, there's no turning back." But Morgan is really driven by a deeper cause. The Bears, 23-12 last year, have dedicated their season to one of their own, 6-foot-10 Anthony Anderson, who was diagnosed with leukemia last month.

Anderson, a redshirt freshman from Southern Maryland's La Plata High School (Charles County, Maryland) who was expected to contribute off the bench this season, is undergoing chemotherapy at Johns Hopkins Hospital, coach Todd Bozeman said. His prognosis is not known. "Anthony is going through a form of treatment right now, but the family wants to keep the particulars private," said Leonard Haynes, a Morgan spokesman. The Bears, two-time defending Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions, have rallied around Anderson. "The whole team went to the hospital and stood in his room as the doctor explained how he was going to treat him," Bozeman said. "Everybody loves 'Big Ant.' "

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Florida A&M 31, Morgan State 28

Morgan passes up field goal for tie in 31-28 OT loss

Morgan never led in a topsy-turvy contest after one of the league's top offenses struck its defense for two quick touchdowns to start the game. But the Bears kept battling back and eventually had a chance to pull it out after Florida A&M settled for a 35-yard field goal by Trevor Scott on its overtime possession. When the Bears took the ball, Jackson was sacked for a 9-yard loss by LeRoy Vann, the Rattlers' nationally rated kick retrurner. But a 15-yard completion to Terrell White and Jackson's 3-yard gain carried the ball to the Rattler 16 and set up the strange ending.

Donald HIll-Eley said he never considered the field-goal attempt to force a second overtime because "we were down by three and at home and we only needed inches." He applauded his team for consistently fighting back against the offensive assault of Florida A&M quarterback Curtis Pulley, who rushed for 231 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 174 more yard and another TD. We're always going to battle," said Hill-Eley. "We did what we had to do. Jackson played well (16 for 22, 207 yards, two touchdowns) and moved us down the field.."

Scott's 35-yard field goal in overtime lifts Florida A&M to 31-28 victory over ...

BALTIMORE — Trevor Scott kicked a 35-yard field goal on the first series of overtime, and the Florida A&M defense made a fourth-down stop for a 31-28 victory over Morgan State on Saturday. Scott's field goal gave Florida A&M (6-2, 4-1 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) a three-point lead. On the next series, the Bears tried to convert a fourth-and-1 instead of trying a game-tying field goal, but Florida A&M's Cameron Houston stopped Carlton Jackson to end the game.

"It was a heavyweight fight," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "I'm just proud of the way we hung in there, persevered and made the plays."


Around FCS: Florida A&M continues resurgence

Baltimore, MD (Sports Network) - Since their last FCS playoff appearance in 2001, the Florida A&M Rattlers have looked to re-establish themselves atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings. Now, halfway through the 2009 season, the Rattlers are well on their way to accomplishing that goal. The rebuilding stage really took hold in 2008. After the 2007 season in which the Rattlers finished 3-8, Joe Taylor was named the team's third coach in five years, as Rattler fans scratched their collective heads in uncertainty.

The highly respected Taylor wasted no time instilling confidence in FAMU supporters as his team, under then-new Kentucky transfer quarterback Curtis Pulley, went 9-3 in 2008, finishing second in the league behind South Carolina State. Pulley took over the starting duties mid-season in 2008 and proved to be the dynamic leader the Rattlers desperately needed.

Rattlesnake has a fun bite to it

BALTIMORE, MD -- This Rattlesnake thing might just become a common occurrence for FAMU — just as much as coach Joe Taylor loves running the ball. Both times the Rattlers put something a little tricky into the offensive scheme, it produced points Saturday at Hughes Stadium. First it was LeRoy Vann lining up in the backfield. He ran for 12 yards and three plays later the Rattlers were in the end zone. On the next series, running back Philip Sylvester took a direct snap and ran 5 yards. On the next play, Sylvester scooted into the end zone from 19 yards out.

Just like that FAMU was on top. The new formation has to be a keeper. And, apparently, it has to have a unique name — or at least something other than Wildcat, the name of the Rattlers' fiercest rival. So, Rattlesnake it is. Of course, all the points the single-wing formation produced came before Morgan State University fought back and forced overtime. The idea of changing up the offense had been discussed during the first spring after Taylor took over the program two years ago. He and offensive coordinator Lawrence Kershaw hedged.

Vann is searching for the longest yards

BALTIMORE, MD — As elusive as getting one more punt return for a touchdown has become, FAMU return specialist LeRoy Vann isn't giving up on his chase for the NCAA record. Vann took two punts back for touchdowns in two consecutive games earlier this season, but hasn't had a good shot since. He came close Saturday against Morgan State and will have to try again in the Rattlers' three remaining games. Vann's stretch of frustration reached five games going into the game at Hughes Stadium. He needed one punt TD return, which would give him the NCAA record for total TD returns. That one also would tie the FCS single-season mark of five that was set by Curtis Deloach of North Carolina A&T eight years ago.

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Morgan State Bears 7, North Carolina A&T Aggies 6

Blocked extra point gives Morgan State the win

There were few secrets Saturday between Morgan State and visiting North Carolina A&T. Not with former Bears coaches Alonzo Lee and Chennis Berry standing on the opposite sideline as the Aggies' first-year head coach and offensive coordinator, respectively. So for the better part of three hours, each team successfully snuffed out what the other does best on both sides of the ball. It was special teams, however, that ultimately made the difference in Morgan's 7-6 win before an announced 12,045 on Homecoming Day at Hughes Stadium.

First, Bears linebacker Fred Davis blocked Patrick Courtney's extra-point try in the third quarter after A&T's only touchdown, then Wallace Miles' 51-yard desperation field-goal attempt fell short as time expired, helping the Bears improve to 4-1 for the first time since 1979. "It was like fighting with your brother over bread," Bears coach Donald Hill-Eley said. "When you've been together for 15 or 20 years, they know your tendencies. It's very difficult because there's only so much you can do. It was a chess match." The win gave Morgan (4-1 overall, 2-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) just its second four-game winning streak since moving to Division I in 1984.

Attendance: 12,045 @ Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD

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OPEN COMPETITIONS CONTINUE

Morgan State Bears 24, Bethune Cookman Wildcats 13

· 'Cats better, but still 0-4

DAYTONA BEACH -- After every game so far this season, Bethune-Cookman announced its season would start anew the following week. Four straight losses will do that to team -- make it want to forget about the past and look ahead to a brighter future. But with the calendar now turned to October, there was something in the air Saturday at Municipal Stadium, and it wasn't a chill. It was the slightest hint of optimism.
Once again mistakes kept B-CU winless as Morgan State held off the Wildcats for a 24-13 victory in front of 3,428 mostly disappointed fans.

"You hate to take positives from losing," B-CU coach Alvin Wyatt. "But I think our kids have improved from game to game." Saturday's stats will certainly support that statement. The Wildcats (0-4, 0-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) came into the game with a rushing total of 255 yards and an average of 111.7 yards of offense per game. Against the Bears (3-1, 1-0), they rolled up 343 yards on offense, including 283 on the ground. They had three more first downs than Morgan State, and they held the ball for 6 1/2 minutes longer than the visitors. But two wide kicks and one dropped ball made a huge difference.

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Bears Hand Bethune-Cookman Fourth-Straight Loss, 24-13

DAYTONA, Fla. – Morgan State had its best scoring output of the season and the defense held when it counted most to help the Bears improve to a three-game winning streak and extend Bethune-Cookman’s rough season with a 24-13 win Saturday at Daytona Municipal Stadium. The Bears captured its first conference win of the season, and hold a 3-1 overall record for the first time since 1996. MSU held a 17-7 lead at the break, but the Wildcats came out with renewed energy in the second half.

Starting on its own 4 yardline, Francois opened the drive with an option pitch to Fred McCaskill for a 60-yard gain to help setup an 11-yard TD run by Courtney Keith with 4:07 remaining in the third quarter. Kory Kowalski’s point extra attempt was blocked by defensive tackle James Cole. It was senior’s second extra point block of the season. The Bears quickly countered on its next possession. Carlton Jackson guided the Bears 60 yards in six plays and connected with junior wideout Edwin Baptiste for a 19 yard touchdown pass to lift the Bears to a 24-13 advantage.

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Morgan State Bears 12. Towson Tigers 9

Morgan State's defense saves the day vs. Towson

Morgan State coach Donald Hill-Eley went conservative in Saturday's game with Towson. The rain started in the first quarter and got harder as time went on, so Hill-Eley decided to play the field-position game - and his plan worked perfectly. Darren McKhan returned a blocked extra point for a two-point conversion and made a crucial fourth-quarter interception, and Morgan's defense came up with several key plays late to help the Bears hang on for a 12-9 victory over Towson at Hughes Stadium. This was the Bears' first victory against the Tigers since 2003. Hill-Eley's plan worked because his defense came up big several times.

Morgan State Bears RB Darren McKhan scores one against Towson.

Towson ran up 344 yards of total offense, but the Bears forced three turnovers, blocked the extra point and limited the Tigers to two of 13 third-down conversions. Punter Nicholas Adams made a number of good kicks to pin Towson deep. "I didn't want to do anything that would give them any energy," Hill-Eley said. "Some coaches don't take it into consideration, but with me, we always take Mother Nature into consideration." The Morgan offense never really got going, finishing with only six first downs and 161 yards but had just one turnover. All three of Towson's turnovers came in the fourth quarter, ending its last three drives and handing the Tigers a 13th straight road loss.

Attendance: 4,307 at Hughes Stadium, Baltimore, MD

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Towson Tigers at Morgan State Bears

All-MEAC RB Devan James,#34 is ready to bust loose on cross-town rival Tigers.

Their players eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same malls and date women from each other's campuses. But pit Towson against Morgan State in football and get set for a row. The schools square off Saturday for the 22nd time in their intracity rivalry at Morgan's Hughes Stadium at 4 p.m. Both teams are 1-1. Lineups of Tigers and Bears, oh my. Let the battle for North Baltimore begin.

"It's easy to get juiced for Morgan," said Dan Bridges, Towson's 290-pound offensive tackle. "

It's one of those games that we don't want to lose the most."Ditto, says Morgan."I saw a couple of [Towson] players at Wal-mart last week, but I just kept movin'," said Devan James, Morgan's star running back. "Can't be too friendly because it's time to go to war."Five miles separate the colleges, which first met in football in 1979. Towson leads the series 16-5, with four straight wins. Last year, the Tigers rallied after halftime and held on, 21-16, as Morgan failed to score on three consecutive plays from Towson's 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. Two years ago, a late interception sparked the Tigers, 28-21.

College football: Towson, Morgan not very neighborly

Rivalry is intense between teams separated by five miles
Their players eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same malls and date women from each other's campuses. But pit Towson against Morgan State in football and get set for a row. The schools square off Saturday for the 22nd time in their intracity rivalry at Morgan's Hughes Stadium at 4 p.m. Both teams are 1-1. Lineups of Tigers and Bears, oh my. Let the battle for North Baltimore begin.

"It's easy to get juiced for Morgan," said Dan Bridges, Towson's 290-pound offensive tackle. "It's one of those games that we don't want to lose the most."Ditto, says Morgan."I saw a couple of [Towson] players at Wal-mart last week, but I just kept movin'," said Devan James, Morgan's star running back. "Can't be too friendly because it's time to go to war." Five miles separate the colleges, which first met in football in 1979. Towson leads the series 16-5, with four straight wins. Last year, the Tigers rallied after halftime and held on, 21-16, as Morgan failed to score on three consecutive plays from Towson's 1-yard line in the fourth quarter. Two years ago, a late interception sparked the Tigers, 28-21.

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