Daytona Beach, FL—SC State closed the game with a 25-17 run but it wasn't enough as they fell to Bethune-Cookman, 64-71, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) match-up at Moore Gymnasium.
The first half of the game belonged to Bethune-Cookman, (9-10, 3-5 MEAC), as they jumped out to an eight point lead, 9-1. The Lady Wildcats would go up by as many as 20 points and would enjoy a 16 point lead at the half, 39-23.
Bethune-Cookman maintained its momentum through the first 12 minutes of the second half when they owned a 17 point lead, 54-37, with 8:22 remaining. SC State (6-13, 1-6 MEAC) picked up its offensive intensity starting with a short jumper by junior transfer Joi Walker with just over seven minutes remaining. Over the next two plus minutes the Lady Bulldogs outscored the Lady Wildcats 8-1 to pull within 10, 55-45, with 5:57 left in the contest. The teams exchanged points over the next four minutes before SC State took control of the game. The Lady Bulldogs used a 15-10 run to pull within five, 60-65, with just over a minute remaining but could not get any closer eventually falling by seven, 64-71.
SC State was led in scoring by junior Whitney Wiley who scored a team-high 16 points with five rebounds. Sophomore Brijan Turner was the only other Lady Bulldog to score in double-figures as she scored all 13 of her points in the second half. Freshman Tiana Hemphill scored six points, pulled in six rebounds with two blocks in the loss.
Bethune-Cookman was led in scoring by Demetria Frank with a game-high 22 points. Sarah Bolden dropped in 16 points with seven rebounds in the victory.
SC State will travel to Tallahassee, FL to take on the Lady Rattlers of Florida A&M on Monday, Feb. 1 before heading back home for a two game home-stand.
GAME NOTES: Sophomore Brijan Turner scored 13 of the Lady Bulldogs last 15 points during.
