Eaves, Stephens Pace SCSU Bulldogs Over DSU Hornets 90-79

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — South Carolina State had another hot shooting day from junior guard Eric Eaves  and sophomore Ed Stephens, as each tossed in a game-high 22 points each to lead the Bulldogs to an 90-79 victory over Delaware State Saturday (Jan.16) at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

South Carolina State improves 9-10 overall, 4-1 in the MEAC. The Bulldogs are in second in league standings behind last season's tournament champion the Hampton Pirates (9-7 overall, 5-0 MEAC).

Sophomore guard Ty Soloman added 13 points and three assists, while senior guard/forward Gabriel McCray chipped in 12 in the victory.

Stephens knocked down 7-of-14 from behind the three-point arc, while Eaves posted an all-around solid effort grabbing six (6) rebounds and dishing out five (5) assist to go along with his 22 points.

As a team, the Bulldogs shot 78.3 % (18-of-23) from the charity stripe, while dominating in several categories such as Points off Turnovers (SCSU 15, DSU 3), Fast Break Points (SCSU 16, DSU 2) and Points in the Paint (SCSU 34, DSU 32).

SC State built their largest lead of the night 24, 42-18 off a 3-pointer by Stephens with 4:00 minutes remaining in the first-half. The Bulldogs closed out with a 51-33 lead during halftime.

Delaware State sparked a late rally in the second-half cutting the lead to three, 61-58 with 9:28, off a 3-pointer by Scott Sill. Back-to-Back 3-pointers from the Hornets tied the game 68-68 with 5:15 left in regulation.

Stephens responded connecting on three of his seven 3-pointers late in the game to push SC State's lead to ten (10) 80-70 with 1:31 remaining. The Bulldogs held on to win their fourth-straight and have scored at least 90 points in each of their last three games.

DSU had four players in double-figures with Devin Morgan leading the way with a team-high 21 points. Scott Sill tossed in 12 and Dana Raysor finished with 11 and DeAndre Haywood added 10 in the loss.

SC State returns to action on Monday (Jan.18) when they host Maryland-Eastern Shore in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference doubleheader. Tipoff for the women is 5:30 p.m., with the men following immediately afterwards in a 7:30 p.m. start.

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COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION