BALTIMORE – The Coppin State men's basketball team started a critical four-game homestand by pulling away late for an 80-67 triumph over cross-town rival Morgan State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest with ESPN cameras rolling.
The Eagles (4-18 overall, 3-5 MEAC) treated the national television audience to a five-star performance by placing four players in double figures for the fourth straight contest. Coppin State never trailed as it ended a six-game losing streak to Morgan State (4-18, 2-6).
Leading Coppin State's offensive barrage was senior
Arnold Fripp, who detonated for 22 points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes. Fripp scored 14 points in the opening 20 minutes to help Coppin State open a 41-30 lead at intermission. It was the second time this season Fripp scored 20 or more points. He had a career-high 25 points against Connecticut in December.
The Eagles' real showstopper was senior
Dallas Gary, who continued his strong play off the bench. Gary contributed 17 points on 5-of-8 shooting. He is averaging 15.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in his last four games for Coppin State.
Three of his baskets shook the PEC to its core and brought fans out of their seats. His first hoop capped an amazing end-to-end sequence for Gary, which started when he blocked shot and concluded with him scoring a layup that pumped some life into the Arena.
Gary's next hoop – a breakaway dunk late in the first half woke the crowd up.
However, his second dunk – an alley-oop -- off of a nice pass from
Sterling Smith fired the Coppin State fans up. Gary's dunk was the centerpiece of the Eagles 9-0 burst over a three-minute period late in the second half that finally subdued the feisty Bears.
His dunk, which was followed by an acrobatic layup from
Shomari Triggs helped the Eagles earn their first win over Morgan State since 2012.
Smith added 12 points and seven rebounds. Senior guard
Taariq Cephas had another splendid all-around game with 10 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Cephas moved past Tywain McKee and into second place on the Coppin State all-time assist chart. He has 407 dimes in his career.
Even though Coppin State opened a 17-point second half lead, Morgan State battled back behind Blake Bozeman (20 points) and Cedric Blossom (13 points, 10 rebounds). The Bears closed to within five points on two occasions: 61-56 with 7:17 remaining following a Rasean Simpson basket and 65-60 with 5:51 left after a Bozeman 3-pointer.
However, thanks to Fripp and Gary, Coppin State had enough fuel to finish strong.
The Eagles continue their longest homestand of the season Saturday afternoon when it hosts South Carolina State at 4:00 p.m.
NOTES: Coppin State topped 80 points for the fourth time in its last five games… The Eagles lead the MEAC in scoring offense at 70.4 points per game…. Coppin State had four players grab at least six rebounds…. The Eagles won the battle of the benches, 32-13…. Coppin State was sharp in limiting Morgan State to 34.3 percent shooting for the game.
