Williams Leads Bulldogs Over Eagles 69-61 On ESPN2
2/7/2009 1:42:06 PM
ORANGEBURG, SC— South Carolina State freshman guard Jimmy Williams tossed in 15 points, while senior forward Jason Johnson recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 12 points -- one of three Bulldogs with that total -- and 14 rebounds, to lift Coach Tim Carter's team (10-11, 5-4 MEAC) pass the Eagles of Coppin State (7-16, 5-5 MEAC) 69-61 Saturday in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest telecast live on ESPN2.
The victory was the fourth in a row for SC State, which had five players in double figures. joining Johnson at 12 points were Jason Flagler and reserve Westley Telfair, with all of his points coming from behind the arc. Josh Jackson added 11 points and nine boards.
Coppin State was led by senior All-MEAC and Preseason Player of the Year Tywain McKee with 15 points.
The Bulldogs controlled most of the first-half jumping ahead by five, 25-20 on a jumper by junior guard/forward Jason Flagler at 6:23 mark. The Eagles cut the lead to one, 29-28 with 2:21 left in the half.
A pair of layups of Williams and Flagler gave South Carolina State a five-point advantage, 35-30, at the half. Williams led all scores at the half with 11 points.
SC State started the second half with a 10-7 run to build a 45-37 cushion on a layup by Williams at the 14:19 mark. The Eagles used a 7-0 run, which started with a jumper by Eddie Hayden, to pull within one, 48-47 with 11:31 left. A dunk by Jackson with 4:38 left in the game put the Bulldogs ahead by seven, 62-55.
A pair of free-throws by Jessie Burton and a dunk by Johnson put South Carolina State ahead by 10, 68-58 with 1:06 left in the game and sealed the victory for the Bulldogs.
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South Carolina State will return to action on Monday against MEAC foe Morgan State in a 7:30 p.m. tip-off, following the women’s game at 5:30.
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