NORFOLK, Va. – Lamar Morgan recorded a game-high 22 points but it was not enough as Coppin State dropped its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener at Norfolk State, 75-67 on Wednesday night at Echols Hall. The Eagles remain winless at 0-16 while the Spartans improve to 3-12.
A junior from Willingboro, N.J., Morgan buried six three-pointers, including four in the second half to help Coppin rally back from an 11-point deficit to tie the score at 41 with 12:39 remaining in regulation. Morgan finished the game 7-of-17 from the floor and 6-of-14 from downtown.
Following the game-tying three, Norfolk was able to extend the lead to 11 once again at 64-53 with 4:49 left but back-to-back layups by
Adam Traore and pair of free throws by
Kent Auslander cut the deficit to five with 2:51 remaining.
Another triple by Morgan cut Norfolk's to a single possession with 2:01 left but back-to-back buckets by the Spartans made the lead seven points with 1:09 left to seal the victory.
Norfolk held a huge advantage in second-chance points, with 14 offensive rebounds leading to 13 second-chance points. The Spartans bench outscored Coppin's 37-13.
Aside from Morgan,
Karonn Davis recorded 13 points, five rebounds and five assists while Traore added 11.
Cedric Council recorded seven points,
Tre' Thomas sunk a pair of three's for six points and Auslander chipped in with five points in his Coppin debut.
The Eagles return to action on Saturday, January 6 when they host MEAC rival Savannah State in a 4 pm tipoff.
