ORANGEBURG, SC – Visiting Bethune-Cookman built a nine point lead with just over eight minutes remaining and held on for a 68-67 win over South Carolina State Saturday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The loss was the eighth in a row for first-year head coach Doug Robertson and his team, which fell to 5-21 overall and 2-13 in the MEAC.
Marie Reid, one of three Lady Bulldog seniors honored during “Senior Day,” had 30 points – 22 after intermission – and 10 rebounds to lead SC State. Junior Sophilia Hipps added 16 points and Shontavius Wiley seven in the loss.
The Lady Wildcats, who avenged an earlier 73-66 setback to SC State at Daytona Beach Jan. 31, were led by Demetria Frank and Jalisa Isaac with 16 points each and Euneshia Proctor with 15 and a game-high eight rebounds.
B-CU improved to 11-15 on the season and 4-11 in the MEAC with the victory.
The visitors, who led by as many as 14 in the first half and were on top 34-24 at the break, saw their lead dwindle to six points – 38-32 – when Reid got a layup with 15:56 remaining.
Following a timeout, the Lady Wildcats went on a 5-0 run to build a 43-32 advantage with 13:22 on the clock.
SC State fought back and closed to within six three times before a 3-pointer by Jasmine Daniels, who finished with nine points, gave the visitors a 55-46 edge with 8:53 left. The lead was still nine points – 63-54 in favor of B-CU, when the host Lady Bulldogs began a rally that closed the gap to one, at 68-67, following a steal and layup by LaTeia Brailey with 31 seconds left.
And, in somewhat of a bizarre finish, B-CU inbounded the ball and dribbled the clock down to less than a full second left without any attempt at fouling by the Lady Bulldogs.
The clock appeared to expire, however, after a conference by the officials, .05 was put on the clock and SC State awarded the ball, however, the inbounds pass went out of bounds and the Lady Wildcats took over and ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
SC State returns to action Monday when it closes out its home schedule against Florida A&M in an MEAC doubleheader, beginning at 5:30 p.m.
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