SCSU Bulldogs out of MEAC tournament

NORFOLK, Va. - South Carolina State’s long shot NCAA tournament hopes ended Monday night with an opening round loss in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament at The Scope.

With four players scoring in double figures, Morgan State rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the Bulldogs 61-52. It was the fifth straight win over S.C. State by the Bears (15-14), who will face Savannah State in Thursday’s quarterfinal.

Matthew Hezekiah had a game-high 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs, followed by All-MEAC Rookie selection Darryl Palmer with 11 and senior Khalif Toombs had 10.

S.C. State jumped out to a 12-0 lead on the Bears. Morgan State rallied to take a brief lead behind Anthony Hubbard, who came off the bench to score 13 of his 16 points in the first half.

S.C. State responded behind the scoring of Hezekiah and Palmer who combined for 17 points and nine rebounds in the first half to take a 32-29 halftime advantage.

A 10-2 run to open the second half reclaimed the lead for Morgan State at 35-34. The Bears stretched their lead as many as 12 points sparked by senior DeWayne Jackson who scored all 12 of his points in the second half and Ian Chiles and Shaquille Duncan, who each finished with 10.

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