Box Score NORFOLK, Va. – Junior guard
Eric Eaves tossed in a game-high 25 points, but it wasn't enough as South Carolina State dropped a tough, 81-69, decision to Hampton on Saturday (March. 12) afternoon in the finals of the MEAC Basketball Championships at the Norfolk Scope Arena.
South Carolina State (19-14 overall) finished with one of its best regular seasons since 2005, while wrapping up with a 10-1 home record.
"Today was a tough loss for our basketball team. I tip my hat to Hampton University they made more plays down the stretch and we struggled to hit shots at crucial moments," said SC State head coach
Murray Garvin.
Senior guard/forward
Gabriel McCray and sophomore forward
Tashombe Riley each finished with 10 points on the day.For their outstanding play throughout the tournament Eaves and Riley earned All-Tournament honors.
The Pirates (21-10) started the game on a 4-0 run but back-to-back buckets by the Bulldogs tied it up early. A basket by SC State's McCray at the 12:59 mark in the first-half broke a 17-all tie and gave the Bulldogs their first lead of the game.
A layup by senior forward
Luka Radovic with 0.14 seconds left extended SC State's lead to three, 39-36, but Darden knocked down a big three-pointer with four seconds later to tie the game at 39-all heading into halftime.
The second-half belonged to the Bulldogs early on sparking a 10-3 run that was capped by a buzzer-beating three-pointer from All-Tournament selection
Eric Eaves at the 17:02 mark.
Despite, the game being close throughout the Bulldogs led in several categories on the day including blocks (6-1). Senior forward/center
Darryl Palmer finished with three (3). SC State led also, in points off turnovers (12-6) and points from the bench (39-14).
South Carolina State will continue postseason play when they take on Grand Canyon University in the first-round of the Collegeinsider.com Coach John McLendon Classic Monday (March 14
th) in Phoenix, Arizona. Tipoff is 10 p.m. (EST) and 7 p.m. (PST), and will broadcast live on the CBS Sports Network.
For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit
www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.
2016 MEAC Men's Basketball All-Tournament TeamReginald Johnson, Jr. (Hampton)
Quinton Chievous (Hampton)
Eric Eaves (South Carolina State)
Tashombe Riley (South Carolina State)Jeff Short (Norfolk State)
Tournament Most Outstanding PlayerReginald Johnson, Jr. (Hampton)
Tournament Most Outstanding CoachEdward Joyner, Jr., (Hampton)
