news-record.com

BALTIMORE — Michael Harper scored a career-high 30 points as Coppin State defeated N.C. A&T 77-65 on Saturday.

The Aggies are now 2-4 against the bottom four teams in the MEAC. But they are 4-1 against the top four teams in the league.

The Eagles outscored the Aggies 14-0 over a 2-minute span to take a 66-44 lead with 8:32 remaining in the game.

"Coppin State had great energy, and we had too many errors," A&T coach Jerry Eaves said. "We had issues shooting the ball. We have been inconsistent shooters all season long. When we shoot well, we can beat anyone. When we don't, we can't."

N.C. A&T shot 35.2 percent from the field (25-for-71), including 9-for-30 from 3-point range (30 percent).

Harper shot 10-for-14 from the field, including 4-for-7 from 3-point range for the Eagles (8-19, 3-11 MEAC).

Robert Johnson led the Aggies (10-19, 6-8) with 18 points on 7-for-12 shooting. Thomas Coleman recorded a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Coppin State was outrebounded 43-35, but shot 48.3 percent from the field (28-for-58). The Eagles also forced N.C. A&T into 16 turnovers, and Vince Goldsberry recorded four of Coppin State's eight steals.

N. C. A&T (10-19) — Coleman 5-10 2-4 12, Witter 0-3 0-0 0, Johnson 7-12 2-2 18, Alston 5-21 0-0 12, Powell 3-9 0-0 8, Joshua 0-0 0-0 0, Hill 1-7 0-0 3, Simpson 2-6 2-2 8, Upchurch 1-1 0-0 2, Porter 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 25-71 6-8 65.

COPPIN STATE (8-19) — Coleman 4-9 2-3 10, Doughty 2-2 0-0 4, Harper 10-14 6-6 30, Goldsberry 3-10 5-5 11, Reggins 1-3 0-0 2, Young 0-3 0-0 0, Brown 2-8 0-0 5, Kucinskas 6-9 3-4 15. Totals 28-58 16-18 77.

N.C. A&T 33 32 — 65
Coppin State 37 40 — 77

Percentages—N. C. A&T (FG .352, FT .750), Coppin State (FG .483, FT .889).
3-point goals—N. C. A&T 9-30 (Johnson 2-5, Simpson 2-5, Powell 2-6, Alston 2-7, Hill 1-5, Witter 0-2), Coppin State 5-13 (Harper 4-7, Brown 1-5, Young 0-1).
Fouled out—None.
Rebounds—N. C. A&T 43 (Coleman 13), Coppin State 35 (Kucinskas 11).
Assists—N. C. A&T 15 (Alston 6), Coppin State 10 (Reggins 4).
Blocked shots—N. C. A&T 6 (Porter 3, Coleman 2), Coppin State 4 (Coleman 2).
Turnovers—N. C. A&T 16 (Powell 4, Johnson 2, Coleman 2, Alston 2, Joshua 2), Coppin State 14 (Coleman 4, Reggins 3, Brown 3).
Steals—N. C. A&T 6 (Powell 2), Coppin State 8 (Goldsberry 4, Harper 3).
Total fouls—N. C. A&T 15, Coppin State 14.
A—3,127.
Officials—Charles Robinson, Ernest Prevost, Dwayne Carnes.