ORANGEBURG,SC—The South Carolina State men's basketball team, winners of three-straight league games, will host the visiting Eagles of Coppin State in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference matchup in front of a nationally-televised audience on ESPN2. Tip-off for the men's game is at 12 noon, with the women following approximately at 2:00 p.m. at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The SC State men (9-11, 4-4 MEAC) will be seeking its fourth-straight win after posting road wins over Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M on a last week.
Senior center Jason Johnson, who is having a solid season, spearheads the Bulldogs attack and leads the team in both scoring (15.0 ppg) and rebounding (8.2 rpg). He is supported by junior Jason Flagler (13.0 ppg, 6.2 rpg).
The Eagles (7-15, 5-4 MEAC) is one of the hottest teams in the league under legendary head coach Ron “Fang” Mitchell. Coppin State has won four in a row and in strong contention for a strong finish in the league. The Eagles are coming off a 72-65 victory over Delaware State on Monday.
The SC State women (5-14, 2-6 MEAC) will be looking to get back on the winning track against league foes. First-year head coach Doug Robertson's team is coming off an 82-45 loss to MEAC foe FAMU on Monday.
Junior Sophilia Hipps leads SC State in scoring with 15.7 points per game and is also third in rebounds with 4.1 each outing. She is followed in scoring by senior Marie Reid, who is averaging 15.3 points to go along with 5.9 boards per game. The Lady Eagles (7-12, 6-3 MEAC) is led by Danielle Anders with 12 points per game and Shante Cummings leads the team in rebounding with 9.4 per contest.
A special drawing will be held during the second-half of the women's game for a chance to win a Wii from the South Carolina State Bookstore. Students who show up before the start of the men's game will be given TWO raffle tickets for a chance to when the Wii.
Also, a special performance by the United Voices of Christ who will be singing the national anthem before the tip-off of the men's game and during halftime the 2008 MEAC women's championship tennis team will be introduced.
Following Saturday's competition, SC State will host Morgan State Monday in a 5:30 p.m showdown for the women, with the men to follow at 7:30.
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