JACKSONVILLE, Fla.— The South Carolina State Bulldogs (3-9) will close out their non-conference schedule Saturday (Dec. 31) on the road against Jacksonville University (10-5) at the Historic Swisher Gym. Tipoff is 12 noon (ET) and can be seen live on ESPN3.
 
SERIES HISTORY
This will be the eight meeting between the two schools with Jacksonville leading series 5-2. In their last meeting on December 12, 2015 South Carolina State defeated Jacksonville, 81-74, in Orangeburg. JU is 3-0 versus SC State when playing at home in Jacksonville.
 
THE LAST OUTING:
The Bulldogs playing the toughest non-conference schedule in the country noted by USA TODAY dropped an tough ,74-47, decision to No. 19 Saint Mary's College Thursday (Dec.22) at The Pavilion. Senior guard Eric Eaves led the Bulldogs with a team-high 11 points, while junior's Tashombe Riley and James Richardson added eight points each. Freshman forward Ian Kinard chipped in seven points and three rebounds in the loss.
 
Meanwhile, the Dolphins knocked off Thomas University 93-64 Wednesday evening at Historic Swisher Gym. Senior forward J.R. Holder led JU with a team-high 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from the floor and was a nearly-perfect 5-of-6 at the charity stripe.
 
A LOOK AT SC STATE:
Murray Garvin is midway through his fourth season at South Carolina State, after guiding the Bulldogs to its best regular-season finish since 2005 with a 19-15 overall record, including a 12-4 MEAC mark last season. The Bulldogs finished the regular-season tied for second place, advanced to the MEAC Championship game and earned a postseason tournament bid to the CIT (Collegeinsider.com Postseason Tournament), the first such appearance since 2003. Senior guard Eric Eaves leads SC State in scoring with 14.8 ppg, while junior forward Tashombe Riley (10.6 ppg) crashes the boards 4.6 times per game. Edward Stephens (7.2 ppg) controls the tempo on the court dishing out 2.5 assists per game.

SCOUTING JU
Tony Jasick is in his 3^rd season at Jacksonville, and is 36-43 at the helm including an 0-1 record versus SC State. The Dolphins are scoring 76.7 ppg and allowing 62.8 ppg this season, a margin of +13.7 ppg. Holder is the leader in scoring with 16.7 points, 3.6 rebounds. Devin Harris is the leader on the boards with 6.2 rpg and 11.6 points per outing, while Darien Fernandez is the floor general at 3.5 assist, while chipping in 12.3 points.
 
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets can be purchased in advance at JUTickets.com, and all major credit cards are accepted. Price List: Reserved - $15, General Admission - $10, Children / Military / Senior Citizens - $5
 
NEXT UP
SC State opens MEAC play on the road in a three-game league swing beginning with Coppin State on Wednesday (Jan.4) at 7:30 p.m., followed by Hampton on Saturday (Jan.7) at 6 p.m. and Norfolk State on Monday (Jan. 9) at 7:30 p.m.
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For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.