Morgan State Defeats Delaware State in Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic Doubleheader
In the first game of the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic, the Morgan State Bears defeated the Delaware State Hornets 75-65.
Kamron Hobbs shot well from beyond the arc, converting a game-high four 3-pointers to lead all scorers with 24 points. The redshirt sophomore was one of three double-digit scorers from the Bears, accompanied by Isaiah Burke, who scored 11 points, and by Lewis Djonkam, who almost had a double-double with 18 points and nine rebounds. Djonkam was also named classic MVP.
Khyrie Staten led Delaware State with 17 points. Martaz Robinson and Brandon Stone scored 16 points each, and Robinson also led all players with 15 rebounds.
Both teams came in with a unique storyline. Delaware State was on a 3-game winning streak with hopes of reaching a .500 record in conference play, while Morgan was trying to keep pace in the top half of the MEAC without Malik Miller.
Both teams started the game cold, especially Morgan State, who missed its first 10 shots. Delaware State did take advantage, jumping out to an early 10-2 lead. The Bears soon responded with an 8-0 run of their own. By the second media timeout, The Hornets led 12-10 with 11:02 left in the first half.
Both teams continued to counter each other with runs in the first half, but Morgan State created separation with a 9-0 run in about 57 seconds late in the half. A 3-pointer from Hobbs, which started the run, at the 2:56 mark gave him 15 first-half points. The lead grew to nine before a late free throw made the score 42-34 in the Bears' favor at halftime.
The second half is where Morgan State made its defensive mark, scoring 18 points off of 14 turnovers by the Hornets. Bears also led the second half in bench scoring (30-17), points in the paint (18-8) and fast break points (10-0).
Stone and Robinson kept Delaware State in the game by scoring 13 and 11 second-half points, respectively. But Burke and Hobbs each scored nine points in the second half for the Bears, and Djonkam had 10 points and six rebounds in the second half alone, sealing the victory.
With the win, Morgan State moves to 12-11 overall and 4-3 in MEAC play. The Bears have also not lost three straight games this season, something they avoided with a victory against the Hornets.
The loss snaps a 3-game winning streak for Delaware State, and the team falls to 4-17 overall with a 3-4 conference record.
The Hornets will head home for their next game to take on Chicago State University at 7 p.m. ET/ 6 p.m. CT. The Bears won't play until next Saturday when they take on North Carolina Central on the road at 4 p.m. ET/ 3 p.m. CT.