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MEAC Tournament Matchups FinalizedMarch 6, 2002 By Larry Barber GREENSBORO, NC-- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) unveiled its delectable menu of men's and women's basketball this week in Richmond, Virginia; offering up the Tournament's 2002 edition. The 31st annual action tipped off Monday and Tuesday with early round, play-in games at the Arthur Ashe Center. However, the Richmond Coliseum, hosting the finale for the fifth consecutive year, will harness the competitive heat from Wednesday through Saturday's championship delights. On Monday, the Lady Aggies of North Carolina A&T set the traditional intriguing tone by surprising Bethune-Cookman, 57-53, giving them their third straight opening round MEAC Tournament win. They entered the women's bracket with just three wins on the season including one MEAC victory and seeded last, while B-CC (9-9 MEAC, 14-12 overall) was the sixth seed. The Lady Aggies (1-17, 4-24) were led by Kelly Reid's 14 points and nine rebounds and LaToya North's 13-point, 12-rebound output. Guard DeVenna Brown added 12 points and five assists for the winners. For the third year in a row, they earned the opportunity to face always tough and top seeded Howard. The Lady Bison took the MEAC regular season title with a 17-1 record and was 18-9 overall. The two were set to play the 12 noon match on Wednesday. In the other women's game Monday, number seven Maryland-Eastern Shore whipped number ten Morgan State, 63-44. In the women's game Tuesday, Florida A&M topped Delaware State, 67-64. The Rattlerettes will face number two seed South Carolina State in Wednesday's 6:00pm game. WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT GAME SCHEDULE (THURSDAY, MARCH 7)- Number three Norfolk State versus UMES (12 noon); Number four Hampton versus Number five Coppin State (6:00pm). WOMEN'S TOURNAMENT GAME SCHEDULE (FRIDAY, MARCH 8)- NCA&T-Howard winner versus Hampton-Coppin State winner (12 noon); SC State/FAMU winner versus Norfolk State /UMES winner (6:00pm). WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP (SATURDAY, MARCH 9)- 12 NOON. In the men's division on Monday, number ten Coppin State dumped number seven Norfolk State, 61-46 and number 11 Morgan State stopped number six Florida A&M, 94-91, in a two overtime tussle. In the last Ashe Center game Tuesday, the number eight seeded B-CC Wildcats beat Maryland-Eastern Shore, 82-70. NCA&T's men struggled early in the season, but after an about-face following the Legacy Classic matchup against the CIAA's N.C. Central, the Aggies earned the fifth seed and will battle number four South Carolina State Thursday, March 7 in the 8:00pm nightcap at the Richmond Coliseum (time approximate following a women's 6pm game). Ironically, SC State just hosted and squeaked by NCA&T 59-58 to end the regular season March 2. The Aggies won ten of their last 13 games to go 10-8 in the MEAC and finish 11-16 overall. Their resurgence has placed them among the tourney favorites, although Hampton University is the safe choice with its brilliant 17-1 MEAC worksheet and 23-6 regular season record. Top seeded and defending champion Hampton is set to play Morgan State, Wednesday. The other Wednesday game has number two Delaware State matching wits with Coppin State. MEN'S TOURNAMENT GAME SCHEDULE (THURSDAY, MARCH 7)- Number three Howard versus Bethune-Cookman (2:30pm); NCA&T versus SC State (8:00pm). MEN'S TOURNAMENT GAME SCHEDULE (FRIDAY, MARCH 8)- Hampton-Morgan winner versus NCA&T-SC State winner (2:30pm); Delaware State-Coppin winner versus Howard-B-CC winner (8:00PM). MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP (SATURDAY, MARCH 9)- 4:00 PM. Both men's and women's champions earn automatic berths into the NCAA Division I Basketball Championships. SPECIAL EVENTS DURING MEAC TOURNAMENT SATURDAY (MARCH 9)
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