Box Score PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – The South Carolina State Bulldogs moved one step closer to winning their first regular season crown since 2003, with a 62-58 victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore Saturday (Feb.20) at Hytche Arena.
South Carolina State (15-12 overall, 10-3/2
nd in MEAC) completed the season sweep of UMES in front a packed capacity of 5,064 screaming Hawk fans during "Homecoming 2016.
"It was a fantastic basketball game that went down to the last possession. This time we were able to execute on offense and get the stop that we needed on defense," said SC State head coach
Murray Garvin. "I am really proud of how are guys went into a tough environment against a well prepared UMES team and came away with the victory."
Sophomore forward
Tashombe Riley led the Bulldogs with a team-high 16 points and six rebounds. Junior guard
Eric Eaves added 15, while sophomore guard
Ed Stephens chipped in 10 points and
Greg Mortimer finished with nine points, seven rebounds in the win.
Maryland-Eastern Shore (8-19, 5-7) raced to a quick 7-0 lead before being outscored 16-7 over the next 10 minutes. Mortimer hit back-to-back three-pointers for the Bulldogs to give them their first lead of the game at 16-14, and went to intermission with a 32-25 lead.
The Hawks battled back, starting the second-half outscoring South Carolina State 19-12 in the first 10 minutes, and tied it at, 44-44, on a jump shot by Devin Martin. Mark Blackmon nailed a three-pointer to give the Hawks a 49-48 lead with 7:48 to play.
Senior All-MEAC forward Dominique Elliott who scored a game-high 23 points-hit a jumper for UMES to make it 56-52 with 3:45 to play. Eaves tossed in six straight from the charity stripe down the stretch to give SC State a 62-58 MEAC win.
Martin finished with 15 in the loss for Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Garvin stated, "It took all of us from the managers, athletic trainers, and coaching staff to get the win. We will enjoy the victory for the night and start prepping for Howard in the A.M."
Next up South Carolina State returns action Monday (Feb.22) in a pivotal MEAC contest against Howard. Tipoff for the women begin at 5:30 p.m., with the men following immediately afterwards.
For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit
www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.
MEAC Standings
