The MEAC Tournament will open Wednesday night as the Coppin State Eagles take on the Howard Bison. Coppin State comes into the conference tournament after finishing in 7th place overall 15 games under .500 this season. The Eagles lost the last game of the regular season 63-59 to Morgan State after shooting only 33.9% from the floor.
Nendah Tarke carried the load for Coppin State scoring a team high 18 points to go along with a team leading 11 rebounds in 39 minutes on the floor. Alex Rojas chipped in 10 points as the only other starter in double figures and Justin Steers added 15 points to lead the way in 21 minutes off the bench.
The Howard Bison finished the regular season four games over .500 overall and in second place in the conference. The Bison lost their last game of the season to Norfolk State 83-61 to end a two game win streak. Howard struggled offensively against Norfolk state shooting only 33.9% from the floor and 31% from beyond the arc leading to the double digit blowout loss.
Steve Settle III led the way for the Howard offense scoring 15 points in 33 minutes. Elijah Hawkins chipped in 11 points as the only other starter in double figures and Khalil Robinson was the top scorer off the bench with 11 points as well.
