Bethune-Cookman 89, Coppin State 78
Junior forward Adrien Coleman scored 28 points, helping eighth-seeded Bethune-Cookman beat No. 9 Coppin State 89-78 in the first round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday at Norfolk (Va.) Scope Arena.
Coleman also had nine rebounds and seven assists for Bethune-Cookman (13-19), which will play No. 1 Norfolk State in Wednesday's quarterfinals. Coleman led three players who scored in double figures for the Wildcats. Senior guard Kevin Dukes made 5 of 11 from 3-point range and finished with 22 points. Senior forward Javoris Bryant had 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Taariq Cephas scored 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting for Coppin State (8-24). Junior guard Andre Armstrong scored 17 points. Junior forward Michael Murray had 14 points and six rebounds.
Coppin State led 33-32 at the break after scoring seven of the last 10 points in the opening period. Bethune-Cookman took control in the second half, mounting 9-0 and 11-0 runs to take a 54-37 lead with 11:28 remaining.
Bethune-Cookman shot 52.4 percent from the field while holding Coppin State to 39.3 percent. The Wildcats also amassed a 36-25 rebounding advantage and recorded seven steals.
