ORANGEBURG, SC— The South Carolina State men's and women's basketball teams return to action on Saturday (Jan. 19th) afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) showdown with Howard at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
 
Tip-off for the women's contest is 2 p.m., followed by a showdown with the men in a 4 p.m. start.
 
Last timeout: Junior forward Damani Applewhite led the Bulldogs (4-15 overall, 2-1 MEAC) to wins on the road over Morgan State and Coppin State, averaging 13.0 points and 7.0 rebounds. He scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds against the Eagles on Monday after netting eight points and snatching seven rebounds against the Bears.
 
Meanwhile on the women side, junior forward Taylor Brown combined 16-for-26 (.615) from the floor in two games this past week and averaged a double-double with 20.0 points and 14.0 rebounds per contest. She opened the week with a 20-point, 10-rebound effort against Morgan State – a game in which she went 6-for-12 from the floor and added four steals. She followed that up on Monday with 20 points, 18 rebounds and six assists in a win over Coppin State, going 10-for-14 from the floor.
 
On the visiting side, the Bison of Howard (7-11 overall, 1-3 MEAC) look to get things back on the winning track after two heartbreaking losses to Bethune-Cookman (63-71) and Morgan State (86-89) in their last outing. Preseason MEAC Player of the Year RJ Cole (20.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and Charles Williams (18.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg) produce one of the talented backcourts in the league. Teammate Chad Lott chips in 14.5 points and 5.1 per outing.
 
The Lady Bison (10-6 overall, 3-1 MEAC) look to extend their winning streak to three-straight games after knocking off Bethune-Cook man and Morgan State () recently. Jayla Thornton finished with a game-high of 20 points in the win over MSU, while Sarah Edmond led the way versus with 25 in the win over BC-U. Three Lady Bison lead the women in scoring with Edmond averaging 16.6 ppg, Thorton at 14.0 points and Krislyn Marsh with 11.4 points per game.
 
Next up South Carolina State returns to action on Monday (Nov. 21^st) when they host Norfolk State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader beginning at 5:30 p.m. for the women's contest and 7:30 p.m. tip-off for the men.
 
NOTE: The Department of Athletics will be hosting "Community Day" sponsored by The STATE CLUB. Bring can goods or non-perishable items to support our local food pantry at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. BRING THE ENTIRE FAMILY TO CHEER ON OUR BULLDOGS!
 
For more information on South Carolina State Athletics visit www.scsuathletic.com or call the Office of Athletic Media Relations at (803) 536-7060.