ORANGEBURG, SC— Senior guard Jessie Burton poured in 18 points including a 3-pointer with 0:13 seconds left to send the game into overtime as the South Carolina State Bulldogs defeated the Hampton University 74-71 in Mid-Eastern Athletic play Saturday.
Freshman guard Jimmy Williams chipped in a career-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the victory, while The Pirates was led by Brandon Tunnell with 14 points and Theo Smalling grabbed 10 rebounds in the loss.
South Carolina State looked to be in control of the first-half jumping out to a 10 point lead, 18-8 on a 3-pointer by Jimmy Williams at the 13:44 mark. The Pirates sparked a 9-0 run on a layup by Kwame Morgan to pull within one, 18-19 with 5:39 left in the half.
A layup by Johnthan Ntko and a 3-pointer gave Hampton a seven point lead, 21-28 with 3:39 left. A dunk at the buzzer by Donte Harrison closed out the half with the Pirates leading 27-34.
Sophomore guard Carrio Bennett nailed a jumper to tie the game 43-43 with 11:32 left in the game. Tunnell hit a pair of free-throws with 0:36 seconds left the give Hampton a three point lead, 57-60.
A Burton 3-pointer with 0:13 seconds left tied the game 60-60 and forced overtime. A jumper by Jason Flagler gave the Bulldogs a five point lead, 69-64 with 0:58 seconds left in the game. Free-throws seemed to be the deciding factor as hit 13 of 22 from the line to secure 74-71 overtime victory for South Carolina State.
Junior guard Jason Flagler and sophomore guard Carrio Bennett each tossed in 14 in the win.
South Carolina State improves to 12-11 overall, 6-5 in the conference, while the Pirates dropped to 11-13, 5-6 in the league.
South Carolina State will return to action on Monday against MEAC foe Howard. Tip-off for the women's game begins at 5:30 p.m., with the men following at 7:30 p.m.
