Morgan State asserted its dominance on its home court, taking down Delaware State by a 14-point margin, 82-68. The Bears' 34-33 first-half lead set the tone for a closely contested matchup, but ultimately, the Hawks' offense couldn't overcome the deficit.
Morgan State's 48-point second half was decisive, as the Bears outscored Delaware State 14 points in the final 20 minutes. Despite being ranked lower in the NET rankings, Morgan State's more efficient performance was the difference-maker in this contest, as the Bears outscored the Hornets 48-35 in the second half to secure the win.
Morgan State's Alfred Worrell Jr. led the team with 25 points, shooting 5-15 from the field and 4-12 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in with 5 rebounds and a block, converting all 11 free throw attempts. His efficiency from the line and from three-point range were key factors in the Bears' victory.
Eugene Alvin provided a strong supporting effort with 19 points and 7 rebounds, while Elijah Davis nearly recorded a triple-double with 15 points, 7 rebounds, and a career-high 15 assists. Davis's ability to distribute the ball effectively and Davis's consistent shooting from Alvin helped to create scoring opportunities for the Bears, ultimately contributing to their 82-68 win over Delaware State.
Jalen St Clair's 11 points were a respectable output, but he struggled to find his shooting stroke, connecting on just 4 of 14 field goal attempts and 0 of 4 three-pointers. His 3 assists were a decent contribution, but ultimately, he was unable to provide the spark needed to propel Delaware State to a win. His shooting woes were a recurring theme throughout the game.
Cyril Obasogie's 10 points and 8 rebounds were a solid effort, but his lack of assists and struggles at the free throw line (0-3) were notable. His 2 blocks were a positive, but not enough to make up for his team's overall performance. Dean Shepherd's 10 points and 3 assists were a good effort, but his 3 of 9 shooting from the field and 1 of 3 three-pointers left much to be desired.
The remaining players for both teams largely adhered to their season averages.
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Final
While the pre-game prediction of a 7.5-point Morgan State victory ultimately held true, the final margin of 14 points was a significant expansion of the anticipated margin. The actual outcome was a more decisive victory for the Bears, who dominated the game from start to finish. A closer examination of the in-game statistics reveals that Morgan State's elevated shooting efficiency was a major factor in their success.
The Bears' in-game effective field goal percentage of 52.5% was a notable increase from their season average, suggesting that they were able to capitalize on scoring opportunities and limit Delaware State's defensive adjustments. Additionally, Morgan State's sharpshooting from beyond the arc, with a 3PT% of 34.8% in the game, was a significant departure from their season average, as was Delaware State's poor 3PT% of 21.4%, which fell well short of their own season average. These disparities in shooting efficiency and three-point shooting tellingly illustrate the key factors that contributed to Morgan State's convincing win.
Morgan State's victory adds a Quad 1 loss to their resume, now 0-2, and a Quad 2 loss, increasing their Quad 2 tally to 0-4. This outcome is unlikely to significantly impact their NCAA Tournament seeding prospects, as their NET ranking remains low at #353. However, the win could help Morgan State avoid being one of the last teams selected for the tournament, potentially securing a lower seed. Meanwhile, Delaware State's loss in a Quad 4 game, coupled with their existing 0-2 record in Quad 1 matchups, further jeopardizes their chances of receiving an at-large bid, making their NET ranking of #361 a significant concern for their tournament prospects. With this defeat, it's increasingly likely that Delaware State will be relegated to playing in the College Basketball Invitational or a similar postseason tournament.