Recapping The Early Games

Jeremy Lamb scores 25 to lift the Huskies past DePaul.  They will face West Virginia tomorrow.

(via Courant Blogs)

Here's a recap of the first slate of games today.

Hampton 69, Morgan State 65
Hampton advances to MEAC Quarterfinals
-Darrion Pellum put in 23 for the Pirates, while Jasper Williams adds 20 off the bench and Hampton is able to advance.  A little momentum can go a long ways as they will take on the #1 seed in the MEAC, Savannah State (21-10, 14-2) tomorrow at 6 pm.  These two last played December 1st, with the Tigers winning on the Pirates home court by a score of 65-49.

Connecticut 81, DePaul 67
Connecticut advances to Big East 2nd Round
-Jim Calhoun's second game back ends the same way as his first -- with a Huskies victory.  Jeremy Lamb turned it on and showed glimpses of Kemba Walker, going for 25-5-4.  They need to keep winning if they want to make the Tournament this year, but up next is West Virginia.  Their last matchup, back in January, ended with a 64-57 victory for UConn.

Howard 51, North Carolina A&T 50
Howard advances to MEAC Quarterfinals
-Howard's bench accounts for almost half of their points and their able to hold off the Aggies.  The Aggie's possessions after their timeout with 4:49 left tell the story for you: turnover, missed three, two missed free throws, missed layup, missed jumper, missed layup, 1-2 on free throws, and finally made a layup with four seconds left.  Yikes.  The Bison will face Norfolk State (22-9, 13-3), the two seed in the tournament.  The Aggies lost the previous matchup on March 1st 72-65.

Pittsburgh 73, St. John's 59
Pittsburgh advances to Big East 2nd Round
-Pittsburgh dominated outside in what is likely Mo Harkless' last game for the Red Storm.  Harkless put up 25 points and grabbed 9 boards but it just wouldn't be enough as the Panthers advance to meet Georgetown (22-7, 12-6) in the 2nd Round of the Big East tournament.  The Panthers won the previous matchup at home by a score of 72-60.

North Carolina Central 60, Maryland-Eastern Shore 43
advances to MEAC Quarterfinals
-The Eagles use a balanced, three prong attack to blow out the Hawks.  This ends a disappointing season for UMES.  Tomorrow, North Carolina Central will play the winner of the Bethune-Cookman/SC State game later today.