Michael Harper scored 20 points to lead four Coppin State players in double figures as the Eagles held on for an 87-82 win over Norfolk State on Monday night, dominating the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference leaders for most of the contest.
Tony Gallo added 16 points, Akeem Ellis 14 and Logan Wiens 12 for the Eagles (11-11, 6-3), who led by 22 points at halftime. Coppin State was up 66-43 with 9 minutes left after a flurry of Ellis layups, but still let the league-leading Spartans back into it.
Norfolk State pulled within six points after a 23-6 run, fueled by 10 points from Kyle O'Quinn, but Coppin State did just enough from the charity stripe to win the game. The Eagles sank 13 foul shots in the final 2 minutes.
O'Quinn finished with 27 points and 18 rebounds, both game highs, to lead the Spartans (16-7, 8-1).
