Box Score RICHMOND, Ky. – Sophomore guard Ed Stephens shot 5-of-11 from behind the arc to finish with a game-high 21 points, but it wasn't enough as South Carolina State dropped a tough 92-82 decision to host Eastern Kentucky in the EKU Hoops Classic.
 
The Bulldogs had four players in double-figures with senior guard/forward Gabriel McCray with 18 points, junior guard Eric Eaves with 16 and Greg Mortimer with 10.
 
The Colonels (3-1) was led by Nick Mayo with a team-high 20 points, while teammate JaVontae Hawkns added 19 on the day.
 
The tournament features Eastern Kentucky, Longwood, Ball State and South Carolina State.  The Bulldogs defeated the Lancers 83-77 in the opening round and face Ball State on Sunday in a 4:30 p.m. tip-off.
 
 The Colonels beat Ball State 89-81 Friday and will wrap up things with Longwood at 2 p.m.      
 
The Bulldogs (2-2) pulled within one, 46-45, on a Mortimer's layup, but Eastern Kentucky pulled away and led 66-55 after Paul Jackson's layup with 8:55 left and held on.
 
Mayo and JaVontae Hawkins each scored 12 and the Colonels led 43-36 at halftime.
Hawkins hit 3-of-4 3-pointers and sealed the win with a dunk.

2015 @EKUHoops Classic Schedule
Nov. 20   Ball State 81, EKU 89    
               Longwood 77, SC State 83
Nov. 21   SC State 82, EKU 92   
               Longwood 67, Ball State 78
Nov. 22    Longwood at EKU-2 p.m.  
               SC State vs. Ball State-4:30 p.m.  


Follow all games live: Click link http://www.sidearmstats.com/eku/mbball/

NEXT UP: Following this weekend's tournament, SC State will host Allen University on Wednesday (Nov.26) at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Tip-off is 6 p.m.