NORFOLK, Va. –The South Carolina State Bulldogs will have tough task on their hand when they take on the Spartans of Norfolk State in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic showdown Saturday at Joseph Echols Hall. Tipoff is 6 p.m., immediately following the women's game at 4 p.m.

This contest can shape the top of the MEAC standings with the Bulldogs in second place at 5-1 and the Spartans are currently in third-place at 4-1 in league standings. The Spartans have finished no worse than tied for third each of the last four years as well as fourth or better in eight of the last nine seasons
 
Bulldog fans can also follow along with the live stats : Click link here http://www.sidearmstats.com/nsu/mbball/
For live video feed that also carries the radio broadcast: Click link here http://www.nsuspartans.com/watch/?Live=540

Series History
Norfolk State owns and 18-17 overall edge against South Carolina State. The Spartans have won six of the last eight meetings, including both last year. Norfolk State won the regular season meeting in Orangeburg, S.C., before also defeating the Bulldogs in the quarterfinals of the MEAC tournament. Saturday's game will mark the first time in four seasons NSU will host SC State after playing just once in the regular season each of the last three years, all on the road.

The Matchup
SC State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs have been one of the biggest surprises of the conference season, taking over second place in the league at 5-1 with a 10-10 overall mark. They have won five in a row, thanks to an offense that averages almost 74 points per game and shoots well in all three areas (44.5 percent overall, 35.2 percent from 3-point range and 72.4 percent from the charity stripe). Eric Eaves and Ed Stephens have done plenty of damage, tallying 16.1 and 14.5 points per game, respectively. Gabriel McCray also scores in double figures at 11.7, while three other players score at least 7 points per contest. SC State has also done well with the ball, averaging just 11.2 turnovers per game, best in the league by almost a full turnover.

NSU Spartans
The Spartans (8-12 overall, 4-1 MEAC) one of the more talented teams in the MEAC, have posted two key league wins over NC Central (88-79) and North Carolina A&T (76-68). NSU has three players in double-figures with All-MEAC performer senior guard Jeff Short leading the way with 16.4 ppg and 4.3 rebounds. Charles Oliver is second with 12.7 points D'Shon Taylor adds 11.7 points and 4.8 rebounds.

MEAC Standings
Hampton currently leads the MEAC at 6-0 after a one-point victory at North Carolina Central last Monday. South Carolina State sits in second at 5-1, while NSU owns sole possession of third place at 4-1. Howard (3-1) and Bethune-Cookman and Savannah State (3-2 each) also round out the upper part of the league standings.

For more information, on South Carolina State Athletics visit the official website at www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060. 

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