DURHAM, NC—Three Bulldogs scored in double-figures but it was a slow shooting night that doomed South Carolina State in an, 72-62, loss to Defending MEAC Champion North Carolina Central Monday (Feb. 25^th) at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

Junior forward Ian Kinard finished with a team-high 14 points and seven rebounds, while junior guard Lavar Harewood added 12 points and five rebounds. Preseason All-MEAC forward Damani Applewhite was limited to just 10 and junior forward Ozante grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and nine points in the loss.

NCCU was led by Randy Miller, Jr., with a game-high 16 points, while teammates Raasean Davis added 12 points and seven rebounds and Larry McKnight Jr., chipped in 13 in the win.

The Bulldogs got down early in the first-half falling behind 41-28 during intermission.

NCCU opened up the second-half extending their lead to 15, 45-30, off a 3-pointer by Miller, Jr., followed by a free-throw by McKnight, Jr. at the 17:32 mark. A layup by Harewood along with a 3-pointer by Kinard pulled with Bulldogs within 10, 45-35.

Despite forcing the Eagles to a game-high 14 turnovers, the Bulldogs made key errors down the stretch that preserved the lead for NCCU to hold on to a 72-62 victory.

Next up South Carolina State battles Bethune-Cookman in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) road showdown in Daytona Beach, Fla. Tip-off is 4 p.m.

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