ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State men's basketball team will get a tough test early on in conference play, when they host the visiting Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader Monday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Tipoff for the women is 5:30 p.m., with the men following immediately afterwards.
 
INSIDE THE GAME: SC State (2-5, 1-0 MEAC) knocked off FAMU (0-9, 0-1 MEAC) 70-61 in the MEAC season opener Saturday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Freshman forward Tashombe Riley led the Bulldogs with a team-high 13 points. On the season, sophomore guard Karon Wright is the leader for SC State with 12.0 ppg, while guard Greg Mortimer and Stephens chip in eight each per contest.  Junior forward Darryl Palmer is the leader on the boards with 7.4 and 6.6 points per outing.
 
Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman posted an impressive ,52-47, victory over Jacksonville on Saturday. The Wildcats were led by Clemmye Owens with 19 points. BC-U snapped a three-game losing streak in the win over JU.

LAST MEETING: Both teams split during the 2013-14 campaign. The Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 69-67 in overtime in Orangeburg. Senior forward Matthew Hezekiah led the Bulldogs with a team-high 19 points. In their second meeting Bethune-Cookman knocked off SC State 91-59 in Daytona Beach, Fla. Sophomore guard Jordan Smith finished with a team-high 10 points.

 BULLDOG BITES:  SC State is averaging 34.9 rebounds per game, 12.0 turnovers, 62.6 points per game, and shooting .58% from the free-throw line as a team.
 
WILDCAT BITES: Clemmye Owens is the leader for the Wildcats with 13.9 ppg, while Mikel Trapp is second with 11.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. Quentin Brewer is the leader on the boards with 7.6 rebounds and 9.0 points.

BC-U is averaging 29.3 rebounds per game, 13.3 turnovers, 57.6 points per game, and shooting .69% from the free-throw line as a team.
WHAT'S NEXT:  The Bulldogs return action on Thursday (Dec.11) in non-conference action against the College of Charleston at TD Arena in Charleston, SC. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.