South Carolina State (0-3) at No. 23/18 UCLA (2-0)
Friday, Nov. 17 – 6 p.m. (PT)/9 p.m.(ET)
Los Angeles, Calif. (Pauley Pavilion)
LOS ANGELES – South Carolina State returns to action on Friday, Nov. 17
th in non-conference matchup with No. 23/18 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. Tipoff is 6 p.m. (PT)/9 p.m. (ET) and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.
This marks the first-ever meeting on the hardwood between UCLA and South Carolina State, and marks the end of a four-game road swing for the Bulldogs.
"To have the opportunity to play against #23 ranked UCLA is personally a dream come true for anyone that is a fan of college basketball," said head coach
Murray Garvin. "We look at the game as a chance to compete against the highest level of college basketball. We also believe in our program the greater the challenge the greater the reward if you win a game like this."
"Our focus will be on valuing the ball every possession and playing better defense than we played the previous outings," stated Garvin.
Sophomore forward Damani Applewhite leads the way with 8.7 points and newcomer Justin Jones with 7.3. Applewhite paced the Bulldogs in their last outing with 13 points.
BULLDOG BITES
*SC State was picked seventh (7
th) in the Preseason MEAC Poll.
*Bulldogs welcome (6) newcomers and return seven letter winners to this year's squad.
*Bulldogs are without almost 4,000-points from last year's team with the departure of seniors
Eric Eaves,
Ed Stephens,
Greg Mortimer and senior captain
Tashombe Riley who suffered a preseason injury that sideline him for the season.
SCOUTING THE BRUINS
*UCLA enters the contest with a 2-0 record having posted wins over Georgia Tech (63-60) and Central Arkansas (106-101 OT).
*The Bruins are averaging over 84.5 points per game.
*Four players are in double figures for the Bruins with Freshman Kris Wilkes leading the way with 19.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, Aaron Holiday with 17.5, Thomas Welsh with 13.0 and Jaylen Hands with 12.0 points per outing.
Up Next:
*On Tuesday, Nov. 21 South Carolina State will play their home-opener against Central Arkansas in the second game of a doubleheader at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. (ET)
