The Morgan State University Bears (8-12) defeated the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats (8-12) 77-71 in a physical matchup between two Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference teams on Saturday evening.

Morgan was able to end their two-game losing streak. This was the first time the two teams met since the MEAC quarterfinals where the Bears were able to end the Wildcats season.  

Led by Cletrell Pope, the Wildcats out-rebounded the Bears by 19, had 20 second-chance points and outscored the Bears 38-24 in points in the paint. Pope finished with 24 points and 22 rebounds.  

But the Wildcats centers and forwards towered over them, the Bears came away with 12 offensive rebounds and scored 11 second-chance points of their own.  

The Bears bench was able to score at will against the Wildcats. A sophomore guard, Kyson Rawls, led the Bears in scoring with 21 points off of the bench.

Malik Miller, a freshman, finished with 10 points off the bench and forward Jordan Little with 6 points and five rebounds. They were able to outscore the Wildcats bench 37-24.  

Morgan was also able to score off Bethune-Cookman’s mistakes. The home team forced 23 turnovers and was able to score 23 points off of them. The Bears were able to take care of the ball and only commit 14 turnovers.  

Though both teams were trading baskets for most of the game, there were only two lead changes and two ties throughout the game. But, Morgan was able to grab the lead when it mattered by having their largest lead of the game at 10 with 7 minutes remaining in the second half.  

The Bears were able to go on a 16-7 run to begin the second half and grab the lead at 46-40. They would hold this lead for the rest of the game to improve their conference record to 3-4 and hand the Wildcats their third conference loss of the season.