Box Score ORANGEBURG, SC—JUCO transfer Gabe McCray tossed in a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds, while teammate sophomore guard Jalen White added 14 to lead SC State to a , 65-56, victory over Hampton Monday (Jan.26) at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

South Carolina State improves to 5-3 in the MEAC, 7-15 overall, while the Pirates fall to 8-12 overall, 4-4 in the league.

"It was a great team win tonight for our program," said SC State head coach Murray Garvin. "It was great preparation from our coaches and our guys came out to play tonight."

The Pirates posted two players in double figures with guard Dwight Meikle leading the way with 16 points and nine rebounds. Junior guard Brian Darden chipped in 14 points and four rebounds in the loss.

SC State shot 73.1 % (19-of-26) from the charity stripe, while out-rebounding the Pirates 39-37 on the night.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a six point advantage, 30-24, off a three-pointer by sophomore guard Karon Wright with a 1:19 remaining in the first-half. SC State closed out the first-half with a 31-25 lead during intermission.

The second-half belong to SC State extending the margin to nine, 45-36, off a jumper by Karon Wright at the 10:55 mark. The Pirates rallied to cut the lead to one, 47-46, with 8:33 left in regulation.

Free-throws seemed to be the deciding factor down the stretch as guard Jalen White and sophomore Ty Solomon tossed in a pair of free-throws each to extend the lead to 11,65-54, with 0:11 seconds left. SC State ran away with a 65-56 victory on the night.

Freshman guard Edward Stephens finished with 11 points and seven rebounds. Stephens the MEAC Rookie of the Week twice this season, earned his third award on Monday (Jan. 26), the league announced.

SC State returns to action on Saturday (Jan. 31) against the visiting Hornets of Delaware State in a MEAC doubleheader with the women beginning 4 p.m., and the men following immediately afterwards in a 6 p.m. start.
 
For more information on South Carolina State University basketball, please call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060, or visit the official Bulldogs
 
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