Final Box
HAMPTON, VA—The South Carolina State suffered another setback dropping a tough 64-53 defeat to the Pirates of Hampton University Saturday at HU Convocation Center.

        SC State was led by senior guard Tyvon Williams with a team-high 12 points, while senior forward Rio Pitt grabbed a career and game-high 13 rebounds along with tossing in six points in the loss.

        “I thought my team played a great 37 minutes,” said SC State head coach Tim Carter. “But bottom line when your best player on the floor goes 0-11 it's very difficult to win any ball game.”

       Hampton jumped out to a seven point lead, 14-7 off a layup by Koron Reed at the 9:17 mark. Sophomore point guard nailed a 3-pointer to pull the Bulldogs within one, 16-15 with 6:45 left in the first-half.

       A dunk by Reed at the 2:21 mark gave the Pirates a two point advantage, 22-20. JUCO transfer Joe Ikhinmwin's layup with 1:23 tied the game 22-22 and closed out the first-half with SC State and Hampton deadlocked.

       Carter stated, “The first-half was good for us we played hard and made some lucky baskets.”

Kwame Morgan tossed in a pair of free-throws to give Hampton a six point edge, 35-29 at the 15:53 mark. SC State sparked a 10-4 run behind Pitt's jumper to tie even for the seventh time in the game 39-39 with 11:30 left in the game.

        Hampton built six point lead, 52-46 off Brandon Tunnell's layup with 4:46 left to go into regulation. Charles Funchess sealed the deal with a layup with 1:10 left to give Hampton a nine point lead, 56-47 and the victory.

        With the victory Hampton improves to 18-5 overall, 8-2 in the MEAC, while SC State falls to 6-16, 2-7 in the league.

       Hampton posted three players in double-figures with Kwame Morgan leading with way with 14 points, Darrion Pellum added 12 and Koron Reed chipped in 10 in the victory. Omar Sanders also added 10 for the Bulldogs.

       South Carolina State will return to action on Monday when they take on Howard University in a MEAC doubleheader and Burr Gymnasium. Tip-off for the women's contest is 5:30 p.m. with the men's following.

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