They’re Good!!

Tia Stephens, i95Ballerz.com Scribe

January 9, 2009 – Morgan State University’s head coach Todd Bozeman can rejoice because he is now 1-2 at University of Maryland Comcast Center. How? A Wednesday night, 66-65, upset Morgan victory over the ACC’s University of Maryland.

The Bears starting line reflected an ode to the State since it was consisted of all local talent from the Maryland area; Marquise Kately had no problem giving up his spot, the Californian understood Bozeman’s philosophy.

Gary Williams and his squad were ready to continue there seven game winning streak, which was a product of holding their opponents to 61.6 points per game.

Morgan's Marquise Kately drives around Landon Milbourne, in the team's upset of Maryland. (Photo property of MorganStateBears.com).

The Bears brought Maryland's 9-0 home streak to an end. The game began with a steal by Glen Burnie’s own Rodney Stokes and the battle of The Beltway began. Maryland’s guard Greivis Vasquez connected with forward Dave Neal for a lay up, and after Morgan’s failed shots, Rodney Stokes’ dunk put the Bears on the board.

Despite their shots not falling for the Bears during the 7-2 run, defensively Morgan was a menace. In the first half alone, Maryland had ten turnovers, leading six Morgan points. They were able to hold Maryland’s press and made shots. At the 11:35 mark, Maryland led 21-15 at which point Morgan’s redshirt freshman Kevin Thompson’s jumper stabilized the team.

MEAC All First Team performer Marquise Kately subsequently drained a three, while Neal answered with a jumper. As the minutes dwindled down in the first half, Maryland found themselves ahead just 36-33, and ended the half with Neal shooting another shot, this time assisted by Eric Hayes.

During first stanza action they knew they were being outscored from the perimeter - Morgan bested them at 42.1% to 7.1% from behind the arc – but also the bench, which produced a ten point advantage.

The second half proved to be harder then the Terrapins expected. Williams’ team came out running their offense properly, which eventually led to a 16-2 run. Immediately out the gate, Morgan’s Thompson made a lay up. The pace of the game seemed to intensify, with the crowd of 15,138 beginning to realize their home team would need help. As the battle continued, emotions were running wild and fouls were called. Bozeman was angered by such calls that seem questionable, which resulted in a technical. The Bears persisted with shooting and keeping their defensive dominance on the floor.

With 11:39 left in the game, Maryland found themselves up by fourteen and slowly being walked down by Morgan’s Bears. Preseason All MEAC second team player Reggie Holmes began draining threes, his first began at 11:18 when they were still down by eleven points. Several possessions later, he fired away again and nailed it.

The lead now down to eight, Thompson joined in by working his way in the paint. Maryland’s forward, Landon Milbourne hit a jumper putting the Terrapins up again by eight, before Reggie responded with taking the ball straight to the hole.

The action continued hot and heavy from there: Morgan’s Jermaine “Itchy” Bolden did what he does best, again penetrating the lane. Vasquez answered back with a jumper and “Itchy” again responded, this time from beyond the three ball arc. After the shot, Morgan was up by two until Vasquez hit two foul shots. Kately missed a jumper, but the tip by Holmes was good.

With one minute left in the game, Thompson’s foul converted the game into a tie. Holmes, sank another three ball, at which point the scoreboard read 49 seconds.

Milbourne answered back with an inside shot. The Maryland faithful thought Adrian Bowie stripped Holmes, but a charging Neal fouled him instead. Holmes missed the attempts, but a steal by teammate Roger Barnes sealed the deal, as a Vasquez heave missed to cement the outcome.

Afterward Bozeman was ecstatic, excited, and proud to beat a good team, one from one of the best conferences in America, stressing the fundamentals of working hard, putting in time, and fighting through adversity to gain life lessons; Morgan’s coach wants his team to be prepared on and off the court, and wants his players to excel what they put their mind to with confidence and assurance.

Bozeman, also applauded Holmes for his shooting capabilities – Reggie dropped 25 points, including 5-11 from the three point line, along with corralling eight rebounds. “Good teammate,” was expressed for Katley, who scored 10 points. Thompson finished the game with 10 points and 13 rebounds.

Despite attempting to balance the win with reality - he indicated every win is a big win - Bozeman was pleased at the defensive lock down brought to pass by his players in closing the game. Going forward, he wants to take the win as another experience, essentially helping to build confidence on the court, which could compel them into March Madness – in other words to continue “keep taking positive steps”.

Maryland’s Hall of Fame coach, Gary Williams, was impressed by the Bears, declaring Morgan (6-8) is a “good team”.

The Terps (11-3) were lead in scoring by Vaquez’ 19 points, followed closely by Neal’s 18. Both players snagged nine boards.