Box Score ORANGEBURG, SC—Freshman guard
Edward Stephens tossed in a game-high 26 points to lead South Carolina State to a, 71-66, victory over Bethune-Cookman Monday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The Bulldogs captured their first 2-0 start in MEAC play since the 2002-03 season, when SC State defeated Morgan State (81-79 OT) and Coppin State (67-54). Stephens had the hot hand on the night connecting 5-of-8 from three-point land, while shooting 7-of-7 from the charity stripe.
"It feels really good to start off 2-0 in conference play," said Bulldog head coach
Murray Garvin. "It's been a long time since that has happen and I am really proud of our guys and the fans who came out and supported SC State tonight ."
"To get a win at home against a very tough and well coach Bethune-Cookman team is a good feeling," said Garvin. "I have to give credit to my coaching staff they prepared well for tonight's game and it showed."
South Carolina State improves to 3-5 overall, 2-0 MEAC, while Bethune-Cookman falls to 3-7 overall, 0-1 in the league.
Bethune-Cookman had three players in double-figures with Clemmye Owens leading the way with a team-high 21 points, and Quentin Brewer recording the games only double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. All-MEAC senior guard Mikel Trapp who scored 33 points in last season's routing of the Bulldogs, was limited to just 11 points before fouling out.
The Bulldogs got off to a fast start building a commanding 25-point lead, 50-25, at the 14:53 mark in the second-half , before the Wildcats sparked a 29-9 run off a three-pointer by Trapp to cut the lead to five, 59-54. A driving layup by senior guard Rickey Johnson gave the game its first tie of the night, 62-62, with 2:22 remaining in regulation.
Stephens long range three-pointer followed by a pair of free-throws by sophomore guard
Jalen White put the SC State ahead five, 67-62, with less than 1:04 remaining. White tossed in a pair of free-throws down the stretch to secure the 71-66 victory for the Bulldogs.
White finished with 10 points and three rebounds, while freshman forward
Tashombe Riley grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and five points.
South Carolina State returns to action on Thursday (Dec. 11) in a non-conference matchup against the College of Charleston at the TD Arena. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m.
