LEIPSIC, Del. (Interstat) — In a game defined by its frantic final seconds and a controversial finish, Walter Peggs scored 29 points to lead Morgan State to a dramatic 80-79 victory over Delaware State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Memorial Hall.

The contest, witnessed by 374 fans, was decided in the final 1.1 seconds amid a flurry of timeouts, fouls, substitutions and confusion. With Morgan State leading 77-75, Delaware State’s Ponce James drove for a layup and was fouled by Morgan State’s Alfred Worrell with seven-tenths of a second remaining. The officials ruled the foul occurred during the shot attempt, sending James to the line with a chance to tie the game.

James made the first free throw to cut the deficit to 77-76. Following a Morgan State timeout, James then sank the second to seemingly tie the game at 77. However, officials huddled and determined Morgan State’s Walter Peggs had been fouled before the inbounds pass after the first free throw, a call that sent the Bears’ guard to the line with 0.7 seconds still on the clock.

Peggs, who had been subbed out defensively, re-entered the game and calmly made both free throws to put Morgan State back ahead 79-77. Delaware State, with no timeouts remaining, quickly inbounded to James, who was fouled by Elijah Davis with 0.1 seconds left. James made both free throws to tie the game at 79.

Morgan State then called its final timeout to advance the ball. On the ensuing inbounds play, Rob Lawson was fouled by Dean Shepherd with 0.1 seconds remaining. Lawson made the first free throw to break the tie. After a Delaware State timeout intended to ice him, Lawson swished the second for the final margin. A last-ditch full-court heave by Delaware State was unsuccessful.

The chaotic ending capped a second-half comeback by the Hornets, who trailed by as many as 11 points early in the period. Delaware State chipped away at the deficit behind the scoring of James and Rahmir Moore. James finished with 22 points, while Moore added 20, with 18 coming in the second half. Their efforts helped the Hornets outscore Morgan State 41-36 after halftime.

Morgan State had built its lead on the strength of a blistering first-half shooting performance, particularly from beyond the arc. The Bears connected on 10 of 24 three-point attempts for the game, with Peggs accounting for five of those makes. He scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half, propelling Morgan State to a 44-38 lead at the break.

The Bears’ efficiency from deep offset a significant disparity at the free-throw line. Delaware State attempted 39 free throws, making 27, compared to Morgan State’s 27 attempts, of which they made 20. The Hornets also held advantages in offensive rebounds, 9-8, and turnovers, committing only eight to Morgan State’s 11.

Morgan State’s defense, however, made key plays when needed. The Bears blocked five shots, with Marland Harris contributing three in just 10 minutes of action. Elijah Davis orchestrated the offense with six assists to go with eight points.

The win improved Morgan State’s record to 5-13 overall and evened its conference mark. Delaware State fell to 5-13. Both teams entered the game with identical records and similar statistical profiles, but it was Morgan State that executed in the final tenth of a second to secure the road victory.

The game was a departure from pregame expectations, as statistical models gave Delaware State a 73.7% probability to win, and the Hornets were installed as a 3-point favorite. The combined score of 159 points sailed over the posted over/under of 136.5.

Morgan State will look to build on the win when it travels to face Howard next Saturday. Delaware State aims to rebound on the road at North Carolina Central, also next Saturday.