CLEVELAND,OHIO—The South Carolina State men's basketball team open play Friday (Nov.16^th ) in the first of a four-game road swing when they take on Cleveland State in the opening-round of the Buckeye Classic at Wolstein Center. Tipoff is 7 p.m. (EST)

MEDIA:
WATCH LIVE ON ESPN3:
http://www.espn.com/watch/_/id/3452725/south-carolina-state-vs-cleveland-state-m-basketball
 
LIVE STATS:
http://www.csuvikings.com/sports/m-baskbl/2018-19/boxscores/20181116_q3d8.xml
 
COACHES: CSU is led by veteran coach Dennis Felton who is entering his second year at the helm of the Viking program. The Bulldogs are led by Murray Garvin who is entering his sixth season.
 
A LOOK AT THE VIKINGS: Cleveland won, 94-65, in their last outing over Urbana. CSU had six players in double-figures in the way with reserve with Rashad Williams leading the way with a team-high 14 points and Jaalam Hill and Stefan Kenic each tossed in 12 respectively in the win.
      Cleveland State has four players in double-figures Tyee Ably leading charge with 15 ppg, Rashad Williams is second with 12 points and Jalaam Hills adds 11. Kenic is the leader on the boards with 5.0 rebounds per outing.
 
BULLDOG BITES: South Carolina looks to bounce back after a tough, 72-89, loss to Charleston Southern in their last outing. Preseason All-MEAC forward Damani Applewhite led the way with a team-high 22 points, while junior forward Ozante Fields added 12 and six rebounds in the loss.
     Applewhite is putting up All-MEAC numbers in his first three contests average a little over 20.7 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Fields leading rebounder at 8.0 rebounds and senior point guard Janai Raynor-Powell each adds over 9.3 ppg.

QUOTEABLE: Head coach Murray Garvin- "We open up a tough four-game road swing versus Horizon League Opponent Cleveland State in the Buckeye Classic Friday. This will be a super challenge for our team in a young season thus far. We are looking to improve every possession and give ourselves a chance to win down the stretch of each game we play."

 NEXT UP: South Carolina State take on Ohio State Sunday (Nov. 18^th) at 2 p.m., followed by Purdue Fort Wayne (Nov.20^th) at 7 p.m. and Samford on Nov.25^th in a 7:30 p.m. (EST) start. 

For information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletics.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.