DAYTONA BEACH, Fla- Junior guard Sophilia Hipps hit a milestone in her collegiate career pouring in 32 points and grabbing eight rebounds to score her 1,000th career point in Lady Bulldog history in a 73-66 come from behind win over Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Hipps entered the contest needing out 15 points to reach the milestone, scoring 11 of her 32 points in the first-half. With the win first-year head coach Doug Robertson's team improved to 5-13 overall, 2-5 in the MEAC, while Bethune-Cookman falls to 7-11 overall, ,1-7 in league play.
The Lady Wildcats controlled most of the first-half leading by as many as seven, 26-19 on a 3-pointer by sophomore Jalisa Isaac at the 5:01 mark. A layup by senior Marie Reid but the lead to five, 26-21 with 4:11 left in the half.
Sophomore guard Demetria Lee nailed a 3-pointer and scored a layup with 1:27 left to put the Lady Wildcats ahead by 10, 33-23. Bethune-Cookman closed out the first-half with a 35-25 lead.
The Lady Wildcats led by as many as 11, 46-35 with 14:12 left in the game. South Carolina State sparked a run and outscored Bethune-Cookman 23-12 to tie the game 58-58 off a Hipps layup with 4:10 left. A pair of free-throws by Hipps and a jumper by Marie Reid with 0:48 seconds left put the Lady Bulldogs ahead by six, 69-63 and sealed the victory.
Senior Marie Reid tossed in 16 points and Jenell Moore added 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the victory. Bethune-Cookman was led by Demetria Frank with 22 points, Jasmine Daniels 13 points, and Sarah Bolden recorded a double-double in the loss with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Lady Bulldogs will return to action on Monday against Florida A&M in 5:30 tip-off in Tallahassee, Fl.
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