NORFOLK, Va. (SportsNetwork.com) - Michael Murray netted 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the seventh-seeded Coppin State Eagles outlasted the 10th- seeded Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, 75-68, in the opening round of the Mid- Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament at Norfolk Scope Arena.
Arnold Fripp came off the bench to score 16 points and add 10 rebounds for the double-double, and Daquan Brickhouse chipped in 12 points, five assists and five boards for Coppin State (11-19), which advances to play second-seeded Hampton University in the quarterfinal round of the MEAC Tournament on Wednesday. Dallas Gary rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Eagles with 10 points and five rebounds in the win.
Clemmye Owens scored 22 points to pace Bethune-Cookman (7-25), while Maurice Taylor tallied a double-double with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Mikel Trapp contributed 14 points before fouling out in the loss.
Both teams came out hot to start the contest, with Coppin State netting 54.5 percent of its shot attempts from the floor, including 5-of-10 from 3-point range. The Eagles added 11-of-13 from the free-throw line in the period, and took a 40-37 lead at the intermission. B-CU shot 53.8 percent in the frame, hitting 5-of-14 from deep.
Coppin State connected on 44.4 percent of its shot attempts in the second half, and made 8-of-15 at the charity stripe. The Eagles were able to create some separation after the Wildcats shot a dismal 31.3 percent from the field in the period.
Coppin State outscored Bethune-Cookman from the free-throw line, 19-11, and outrebounded the Wildcats, 37-28. The Eagles had more free-throw makes (19) than the Wildcats had attempts (13).
