Box Score
ORANGEBURG, SC— Senior guard/forward Jason Flagler tossed in a game-high 17 points, while Brandon Smalls chipped in 14 and grabbed five rebounds as South Carolina State defeated Bethune-Cookman 58-46 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play Saturday.

South Carolina State improves to 15-12 overall, 9-6 in the MEAC, while Bethune-Cookman falls to 15-14 overall, 7-8 in the league.

“I think what's happening right now we are getting serious production from our bench guys like Brandon Smalls and Joe Wright, said SC State coach Tim Carter. “ We were focused and try to stay with a game plan and it worked.”

South Carolina State jumped out to its biggest lead of the first-half nine, 19-10 off a layup by senior Jason Flagler at the 6:27 mark. A layup by Javoris Bryant pull Bethune-Cookman within four, 19-15 with 2:35 left in the half.

Brandon Smalls jumper with 2:16 left put the Bulldogs ahead six, 21-15. Freshman point guard Khalif Toombs nailed a jumper with 0:014 seconds left to give SC State a 23-16 advantage at halftime.

Carter stated, “Those guys (Bethune-Cookman) were really tired and we took advantage of that tonight. “It helped us that I gave my guys 2 ½ days off to rest so we had some fresh legs.”

Junior guard Tyvon Williams drilled a 3-pointer at the 8:48 mark to put the Bulldogs ahead 18, 45-27. Toombs jumper with 2:27 left in the game sealed the victory for SC State in a much needed MEAC contest.

Bethune-Cookman was led by C.J. Reed with nine points, while Javoris Bryant, Stanley Elliott, and Aric Miller each chipped in eight in the loss.

South Carolina State will return to action on Monday against MEAC foe Florida A&M. The women tip-off at 5:30 p.m. while the men begin in a 7:30 p.m. contest.

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