ORANGEBURG, SC—The South Carolina State men's and women's basketball teams open up Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play Saturday (Jan. 5^th) when they host league rival N.C. A&T State in league showdown at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Tip-off for the women is 2 p.m., followed by the men in a 4 p.m. start.

The Bulldogs enter the contest after suffering a tough 72-70 non-conference loss to Presbyterian College on Wednesday. Preseason All-MEAC forward Damani Applewhite (18.2 ppg) led the way with a team-high 18 points in the loss.  On the women's side the Lady Bulldogs (7-7) closed out the holiday season with a 54-39 win over Western Carolina. Junior forward Taylor Brown (13.9 ppg, 7.6 rpg) led the charge with 21 points and nine rebounds.

The Aggies (4-9) enter the contest after dropping a 57-77 decision to East Carolina in their last outing on Dec. 28^th on the road. Malik Gantz led the way with 17 points. Meanwhile the Lady Aggies (3-10), look to rebound after falling to Yale 49-59 on Dec. 29^th in Greensboro, NC. Cinia McCray finished with a team-high 21 points and Rayven Peeples added 12 rebounds in the loss.

Next up South Carolina State hit the road for a two-game MEAC road swing in Baltimore, MD beginning with Morgan State on Saturday (Jan. 12^th) in a 2 p.m. start, followed by a matchup with Coppin State on Monday (Jan. 14^th) in a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.

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