DURHAM, NC—Senior forward Dashanique Peterson scored a team-high 17 points to lead South Carolina State to an, 72-60, victory over North Carolina Central Monday (Feb. 25^th ) at McDougald-McLendon Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs improve to 14-14 overall, 7-7 in the MEAC, while NCCU falls to 8-20 overall, 5-10 in the league. Junior forward Taylor Brown (8 rebounds) and Senior guard Rhein Beamon (7 rebounds) each tossed in 12 respectively in the win.

"First of all I have to give credit to NCCU they came out and played a really tough game," said SC State head coach Audry Smith. "We came out and played really hard early on but got relaxed and allowed them to get back into the game. I told them in this league (MEAC) we can't allow to be relaxed with any team we play."

"I am extremely  proud of the way Peterson play today, along with Rhein Beamon and Taylor Brown, " said Smith. " We still have to work on some things and get ready for a tough Bethune-Cookman team on Saturday in Daytona Beach."

The Lady Bulldogs led by 11, 38-27, off basket by Brown with 0:02 seconds remaining to close out the first-half.

NCCU cut the lead to three, 44-47, off a basket by Caira Benton with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter. Peterson's power layup followed by a pair of free-throws by Beamon push the lead to seven, 51-44, to close out the quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs dominated the fourth quarter extending their lead to 15, 66-51, on a driving layup by Brown at the 3:37 mark. A late rally by NCCU cut the lead to eight, 66-58, with 1:12 left in regulation.  SCSU was too strong down the stretch and was able to hold to a 12-point win over host Lady Eagles.

Senior Ester Udonsi added nine points and Kemoni Jenkins finished with eight for South Carolina State. NCCU was led by Benton with a game-high 19 and Paulina Afriyie with 18 in the loss.

Next up South Carolina State takes on Bethune-Cookman University Saturday (March. 2^nd) in a pivotal Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown at Moore Gymnasium. Tip-off is 2 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.