CULLOWHEE, NC – The South Carolina State women closed out their non-conference schedule Saturday with a 54-39 win over Western Carolina.

The Lady Bulldogs improved to 7-7 on the season and will begin Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference competition Jan. 5 against league defending champion North Carolina A&T in a MEAC doubleheader, beginning at 2 p.m., at S-H-M Memorial Center.

Junior forward Taylor Brown had 21 points and nine rebounds to spark Coach Audra Smith's team, which snapped a two-game slide. Kemoni Jenkins added 11 points and Jaquanna Murray 10 and a game-high 10 rebounds for SC State.

The Lady Bulldogs outshot the host 38.3 percent (23-60) to 28.9 percent (15-59) and enjoyed a 45-38 advantage on the boards.

Ahead by just three points at the half, 28-25, the Lady Bulldogs limited the Catamounts to just 14 second- half points, including six in the final period.

Smith's team outscored the Catamounts 15-8 in the third to build a 43-33 advantage after three to take control of the contest. The Lady Bulldogs won the final period 11-6 for their 15-point winning margin.

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