ORANGEBURG,SC—Junior guard Darnell Porter poured in a game-high 16 points, while senior guard/forward Jason Flagler chipped in 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds as SC State suffered an heartbreaking 61-59 loss to Winston-Salem State Thursday at S-H-M.
South Carolina State celebrating “Senior Night” saluted three seniors guard/forward Jason Flagler, forward Arsenio Williams and guard Brandon Smalls who played there last home game at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center this evening.
A 3-pointer by Andrew Jackson gave Winston-Salem State their biggest lead of the half, nine 15-6 at the 9:37 mark. Freshman point guard Khalif Toombs nailed a 3-pointer to pull the Bulldogs within three, 14-17 with 4:10 left in the first-half.
Toombs sanked another 3-pointer with 2:32 left to tie the game 19-19. Senior Jason Flagler pull up jumper with 0: 15 seconds left closed out the half and gave SC State a 23-19 lead heading into the lock room.
“We had miss opportunities tonight and we didn't take advantage of things,” said SC State head coach Tim Carter. “You have got to be on your game playing a team like WSSU on any given night.”
Winston-Salem State jumped out to an early six point advantage, 48-42 off a layup by Brian Fisher at the 6:40 mark. A tip-in by Arsenio Williams with 1:32 left pull the Bulldogs within two, 56-54.
Flagler hit a jumper with 0:44 seconds left in the contest to tie the game 56-56. The Ram's Brian Fisher would not be denied nailing a jumper with 0:15 seconds on the clock to put WSSU ahead two, 58-56.
Porter's 3-pointer with 0:04 seconds gave South Carolina State the lead, 59-58. Winston-Salem State's last chance at survival came when Andrew Jackson nailed a 3-pointer as time expired to win the game 61-59 on “Senior Night”.
“Losing a game that close really hurts playing in front of family and friends my last home game as a Bulldog,” stated SC State senior captain Jason Flagler. “I love this school and the people around me so I am really grateful of having the chance to put on an SC State uniform.”
Carter explained “The plan was to switch everything but I never thought we would leave him wide open for a good look at the basket.” We were our own worst enemies, missing shots, and free-throws.”
A pair of Bulldogs was selected to the All-MEAC team the league announced Thursday. Senior Jason Flagler was named to the First-Team All MEAC, while freshman Khalif Toombs was name to the 2010 All-Rookie Team.
Senior Arsenio Williams and freshman Khalif Toombs each had eight in the loss.Williams also finished with nine rebounds. Winston-Salem State had three people in double figures Andrew Jacskon(13),Brian Sifer(15) and Lamar Wonger (55).
South Carolina State will take on the winner between No.6 UMES/No.11 Copping State on Thursday at 6 p.m. in the opening round of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Tournament held at Lawrence Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem, NC.
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