WINSTON-SALEM, NC – Seventh-seeded South Carolina State fell victim early to the long ball and turnovers against second-seeded Howard, which earned a 57-42 victory in eliminating the Lady Bulldogs from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday at the Joel Coliseum.

Coach Doug Robertson's team committed 27 turnovers in the contest, including 18 in the first half,. when the Lady Bison took a 36-17 lead. Neither team shot the ball well but Howard made three 3-point baskets and converted a conventional three-point play in the first six-and-a-half minutes to build a 16-5 advantage.The Lady Bulldogs aided the quick start by committing three consecutive turnovers and five miscues on their first six possessions.

Ahead by 19 at the half, Howard didn't let up after intermission and increased its lead to 24 points, 43-19, in the opening minutes of the second half when Cheyenne Curley-Payne nailed a 3-pointer with 15:51 on the clock and coasted to victory. The closest SC State came after the Lady Bison went up by 24 points was the final margin.

Tiara Knotts had 14 points to lead SC State while Paris Alston added 13 and seven rebounds. Senior Tracey Flowers was limited to just two points by Howard's aggressive defense, but hit the boards for a game-high 10 rebounds in her final appearance for the Lady Bulldogs.

With the loss, SC State ended its fourth year under Robertson at 13-16, his second-best season as Lady Bulldog head coach. Robertson was 14-19 during the 2009-2010 campaign.

Howard, whose only regular-season losses in the MEAC came at the hands of top-seeded Hampton, moved on to Friday's semifinals where it will meet the winner of Thursday's quarterfinal matchup between sixth-seeded Maryland Eastern Shore and Florida A&M, the third seed.

The Lady Bison were paced by Tamoria Holmes with 14 points and Saadia Doyle and Zykia Brown with 11 each in improving to 23-7 on the season

“It was a tough game today,” said SC State's Robertson. “Howard played well as Coach (Niki) Geckeler does a great job. But the bottom line is that you can't give a team that many points off turnovers. They scored over half their points (31) off our miscues.

“They were pretty aggressive on defense and we seemed to be a little anxious, we forced things and made some bad decisions. But, we only have one senior so hopefully we will be more competitive next season.
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