Morgan State guard Reggie Holmes took an aggressive approach in trying to break a recent shooting slump. The sophomore began taking 300 shots on his own after practice the past several days while searching for his outside touch.
The work paid off last night. Holmes tied a school record by making seven three-point shots en route to a 25-point performance that helped Morgan State to an 81-55 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win over South Carolina State before an announced 2,246 at Hill Field House.
Morgan State (15-8, 10-1) extended its winning streak to eight games and remained in first place in the MEAC.
Holmes shot 6-for-6 on three-pointers and scored 18 points in the first half as the Bears built a 43-26 lead.
Five of the long shots came in the first 11 minutes and helped Morgan State take command.
"I've never had it happen like that," Holmes said of his first half. "I feel better now."
Holmes finished 7-for-9 on three-point shots, tying the record set by Tremain Byrd in 1998 and matched by Sam Brand (now a Morgan State assistant coach) in 2005. Holmes shot 8-for-12 overall.
Morgan State coach Todd Bozeman knew Holmes was looking to find his touch but wasn't surprised to see the guard shoot well.
"He got hot," Bozeman said. "He can do that. When he's shooting like that, he's tough to guard."
Bozeman said Holmes' shooting helped open up the rest of the offense. The trio of Jamar Smith (20 points), Marquise Kately (18 points) and Holmes outscored South Carolina State (8-16, 4-6).
"We've still got to tighten up some things," Bozeman said. "But they're showing some growth."
Morgan State went with its usual formula of tough defense and ball control. The Bears often disrupted the Bulldogs' offense with 16 steals and forced 30 turnovers that often led to easy points.
Julius Carter led South Carolina State with 12 points, but the Bulldogs never found much rhythm on offense and went for long stretches without points -- including the end of the game, when the Bears scored the final nine points.
Boubacar Coly had another strong game inside, getting 13 rebounds and helping the Bears often limit South Carolina State to one shot on offense.
The Bulldogs had just eight offensive rebounds and few second chances.
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE--Spencer 2-4 0-0 5, Carter 5-7 2-2 12, Burton 1-4 3-3 5, Baker 1-3 1-2 3, Flagler 3-10 2-3 8, Johnson 4-4 1-2 9, Bookman 0-0 0-0 0, Cobb 0-0 0-0 0, Adams 0-2 0-0 0, Bennett 4-9 1-2 11, Miller-Williams 1-2 0-1 2. Totals 21-45 10-15 55. MORGAN STATE--Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Kately 8-16 2-4 18, Coly 1-4 1-4 3, Green 1-5 4-5 6, Smith 6-14 6-8 20, Bolden 0-4 0-0 0, Holmes 8-12 2-2 25, Scott 0-0 0-0 0, Barnes 2-3 3-3 8, Aujla 0-1 0-0 0, Stokes 0-1 0-0 0, Hemsley 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 26-60 19-28 81. Half--Morgan State 43-26. 3-point goals--S.C. State 3-9 (Bennett 2-4, Spencer 1-2, Burton 0-1, Baker 0-1, Flagler 0-1), Morgan 10-18 (Holmes 7-9, Smith 2-4, Barnes 1-1, Aujla 0-1, Green 0-1, Bolden 0-2). . Rebounds--S.C. State 32 (Johnson 6), Morgan 34 (Coly 13). Assists--S.C. State 11 (Bennett, Burton, Flagler, Spencer 2), Morgan 16 (Green 8). Total fouls--S.C. State 20, Morgan 18. A--2,246.