Corin Adams (L) became the first player in MSU history, male or female to reach 2,000 points; while Erin Hawkins tallied a career-high 23 points, including the game-winning three-pointer against N.C. A&T.
North Carolina A&T 69, Morgan State 73
Bear Shots
BALTIMORE, Md. (March 1, 2010)-Erin Hawkins came off the bench and scored a game- and career-high 23 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 3-for-3 from three-point range, to lead Morgan State to a 73-69 upset victory over visiting North Carolina A&T on Monday evening in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Hill Field House.
With the win, Morgan State improved to 8-1 at home and ended a five-game losing skid to the Lady Aggies, who had won 11 of the previous 13 meetings, prior to tonight's game. Morgan State's last victory over A&T came on Feb. 20, 2006, a 73-68 win at Hill Field House. The Lady Bears' victory also moved them into a second-place tie with Hampton, which was idle tonight, in the league standings.
Corin Adams, who entered the game as Morgan's all-time leading scorer, male or female with 1,994 points, surpassing Marvin Webster (1,990), added 18 points to give her 2,012 for her career. Adams also tallied a game-high seven assists, as well as a game-high eight steals in the win. Theresa Davis chipped in with 13 points and Kristina Rosario, who earlier in the day was named MEAC Defensive Player of the Week, finished with a team-high seven rebounds.
N.C. A&T (20-9, 13-2 MEAC), who had already wrapped up its third consecutive MEAC regular-season title, was led by Ta'Wuana Cook's game-high 27 points, while Jaleesa Sams and reserve Amber Calvin added 11 points apiece.
Morgan State (16-12, 11-4 MEAC) had wheeled off 10 straight points to take a 21-12 lead with 9:03 to play in the first half, before Adams scored on a layup at the 7:39 mark, giving her the 2,000th point of her career.
“I knew because I count my points during the game, so I knew, but I was really focused on the win,” said a smiling Adams on reaching the 2,000-point plateau. “I knew the 2,000 points wouldn't matter if we had lost. I didn't beat them [N.C. A&T] my whole four years, so I figured this was my last chance. I couldn't sleep last night and I was really ready to beat them my last time out.”
Added Adams, “I think we are peeking at the right time before the tournament, but we still have Coppin State. This win can put us in sole possession for second-place and hopefully give us a NIT bid. So it's a good win, but we still have to focus on Coppin."
The hosts, who held a 42-32 lead at the intermission, extended their cushion to 13 points (45-32), following a three-pointer by Hawkins to start the second half.
That's when Cook began to go to work. Cook personally went on her own 12-2 run, connecting on four straight three-pointers in part of a 16-2 A&T spurt, which gave the guests a 48-47 advantage with 13:29 remaining in the game.
N.C. A&T used a 20-17 run to take a 68-65 lead after a layup by Calvin with 2:54 to play. Morgan got a basket by Adams and both teams traded a free throw, before Hawkins hit her third and final three of the game from the left wing with 53.9 to play, giving the Lady Bears a 71-69 lead. Hawkins later added a free throw with 18 seconds to play to put Morgan up by three.
Adams however, would foul Cook on a three-point attempt from the right corner with 6.3 to play. But, Cook a 76 percent free throw shooter, missed all three and Davis grabbed the rebound for Morgan State. Davis hit the second attempt for the game's final score.
The Lady Aggies shot 53 percent (23-of-43) for the game, including 55 percent in the first half. N.C. A&T shot 9-of-17 from three-point range, with Cook connecting on five of them.
Morgan State concludes the regular season on Thursday, March 4, when they play host to crosstown rival Coppin State. The game will mark 'Senior Night' for five Lady Bears. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. at Hill Field House. North Carolina A&T closes out the season at home on Thursday against Norfolk State at 6 p.m. at the Corbett Sports Center. Norfolk State was a 73-50 loser this evening at Coppin State.
