Box Score SAVANNAH, GA – Troyce Manassas tossed in a career-high 42 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to lead Savannah State to a 95-88 win over South Carolina State Thursday night in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Tiger Arena.

Greg Mortimer, a Savannah native, had 21 points and Eric Eaves added 18 for the Bulldogs in the contest, which was the final regular-season game for both teams. Ed Stephens and Tashombe Riley were  also in double figures 15 and 11 points, respectively.

Ty Soloman had seven rebounds and Eaves and Riley six each to lead the Bulldogs on the boards. SC State enjoyed a 50-48 edge in rebounds.

Coach Murray Garvin's team will now head to the MEAC Tournament, which runs Mar. 6-11 at The Scope in Norfolk, VA against an opponent to be announced.

The Bulldogs finished the year 10-19 overall and 7-9 in the MEAC. Savannah State, which swept the series against SC State with the win, closed out its year 13-16 and 10-6 in the league. The Tigers are not eligible to participate in the tournament this season.

SC State led 68-63 with just over eight minutes to play but the host Tigers outscored the Bulldogs 32-20 to close the game.

In a fast-paced and high-scoring first half, the Bulldogs took a 49-43 lead behind 15 points by Eaves and nine points by Savannah native Greg Mortimer. Manassa had 19 first-half points for the host, including three of his team's six baskets from beyond the arc. SC State nailed four 3-pointers, two by reserve Janai Raynor Powell.

SC State started the game with a 9-2 run before the Tigers roared back with an 11-2 run to grab a 13-11 edge on Manassa's first 3-pointer with 12:52 on the first half clock.

Eaves' jumper with 11:55 showing deadlocked the contest at 13-all before the Tigers went on an 11-4 run to build a 24-17 lead with just under the 8-minute mark.

The Bulldogs built a 33-24 advantage with 5:26 left in the period before the Tigers closed the gap to 49-43 at the half.