MEAC Men’s Basketball Tournament – Winston-Salem, N.C.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Florida A&M is making some noise in the MEAC tournament this year. But they will have to win it if they want to go to the "Big Dance".
#11 Florida A&M 65
#3 Delaware State 55
OT
In a game that was obviously no easy task for the Delaware State Hornets proved to be too much of an opponent. The Hornets became the second top seed in the MEAC tournament to be eliminated in their opening round game, losing to the Rattlers in overtime.
Delaware State scored only two points in the extra frame. A game where Florida A&M had an eight-point lead at halftime, the Hornets relied on Tahj Tate’s 18 points and Casey Walker added 16 points and 7 rebounds. But neither of them were to be found when the team needed them the most.
FAMU were led again in the tournament by Amin Stevens. He had 18 points and 9 rebounds. Yannick Crowder also added 12 points and 8 rebounds. Although both teams shot evenly throughout the game, the Rattlers bust it wide open in overtime. The Hornets had the ball in the first two minutes of overtime, keeping it with offensive rebounds. Yet, could not score any points. Crowder scored half of dozen total points in the extra frame, and Stevens helped with an assist and basket of his own. Reggie Lewis also contributed for the Rattlers. He finished with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
This ends Delaware State’s season at 15-14. Florida A&M will face second-seed Norfolk State in the Semifinals on Friday night.
#5 North Carolina Central 59
#4 Bethune-Cookman 60
The Eagles were led by Dominique Sutton, who put up 16 points and 10 rebounds. Justin Leemow scored 8 points. But Sutton’s turnover gave Bethune-Cookman another chance with 19 seconds left.
Garrius Holloman made the game-winning jumper with six seconds left to give the Wildcats a close victory NC Central. The 6’6″ senior from Kansas scored eight points and also grabbed five rebounds.
North Carolina Central finishes the 2011-2012 season with a record of 17-15.
Bethune-Cookman will play Hampton in the Semifinals on Friday. Hampton, the defending MEAC Tournament Champions, defeated the number-one seed in this year’s tournament, Savannah State, on Wednesday.
