Box Score JACKSONVILLE, FLA— Senior guard Eric Eaves tossed in a game-high 32 points and grabbed six rebounds, but it wasn't enough as Jacksonville put together a late rally surge to defeat SC State, 89-85, Saturday afternoon (Dec. 31) at Historic Swisher Gym.

"I thought we played as well as we have all year on the offensive end of the floor," said SC State head coach Murray Garvin. " Eric Eaves, and Tashombe Riley were phenomenal today."

Riley finished with 16 points and six rebounds, while senior guard Edward Stephens and Greg Mortimer added 11 each in the loss.

The Bulldogs shot as a team 12-of-21(57.1%) from behind the arc with Eaves connecting on 5-of-6 and Riley 3-of-3 from behind the three-point range. South Carolina State pretty much dominated the first-half jumping out to a seven point lead, 29-22, off a three-pointer by Riley at the 7:50 mark. The Bulldogs built their biggest lead nine, 46-37, off a long range bomb from Stephens from behind the arc with 0:39 seconds remaining in the half.  The Bulldogs led 46-39 during intermission.

The lead changed 13 times throughout the course of the game, with Jacksonville taking the final lead with 6:08 remaining to play in the second half.

South Carolina State came within one, 86-85, with 11 seconds to go, but pair of free throws by Tanner Rubio with 0.4 showing on the clock put the Dolphins ahead down the stretch.

"Some will say it came down to one possession. We believe that the last play was a microcosm of our play in the second-half," said Garvin. "We needed a game like this to help us prepare for MEAC play starting next week."

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.