DOVER, Del.  - Redshirt freshman Tierra Hawkins (Clinton, Md.) knocked down a layup with seven-seconds left on the clock as the Delaware State University women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 55-53 victory over South Carolina State Thursday evening.

A jumper from SCSU's Paris Alston at the 2:05 mark gave the Bulldogs a 53-51 lead, but proved to be the final basket of the game for SC State as the Lady Hornets finished with two free throws and Hawkins' layup for the win.

The win was the second straight for the Lady Hornets, who finished the regular season 7-22 overall and 4-12 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. 

SCSU led for the majority of the first half, minus a brief two-point lead for Delaware State at the 7:42 mark, and were up by as much as 10 points at 14:09.

With less than four minutes left in the first half, a free throw from Tiara Knotts gave the Bulldogs a seven-point advantage before DSU made a comeback.  Sophomore Tasia Bristow (Baltimore, Md.) sank a jumper at the 2:56 point while Hawkins drained a trey with just under a minute remaining to pull the Lady Hornets within 31-29 at halftime.

The Bulldogs outshot Del State, 50 percent (13-of-26) to 37.9 percent (11-for-29) in the first half while the Lady Hornets took the advantage in 3-point field goal percentage, 28.6 percent (2-for-7) to 25 percent (1-for-4), and free throws, 71.4 percent (5-for-7) to 50 percent (4-for-8).

The second half was similar to the first as SC State led for the majority.  The two teams tied the game a total of six times in the second half, but DSU was never able to take the lead.

With five minutes left on the clock, the Bulldogs led, 49-46, before Bristow knocked down a basket from behind the arc to tie the game at 49-49.  The Lady Hornets and Bulldogs exchanged baskets before Alston hit her jumper at 2:05 to put things at 53-51.

Delaware State outscored SC State, 26-22, in the second half to take the win.  The Lady Hornets never held more than a two-point advantage in the game. 

As was the case in the first half, the Bulldogs outshot the Lady Hornets from the field, 45.1 percent (23-for-51) to 36.2 percent (21-for-58) while DSU led in 3-point field goal percentage 36.4 percent to 20 percent, and free throws, 81.8 percent to 50 percent.

Bristow and Hawkins led all scorers with 19 and 16 points, respectively.  Hawkins also recorded the first 3-pointer of her career and led the team with six rebounds and five steals.

Tracey Flowers and Tiara Knotts each posted 13 points for the Bulldogs (12-15; 7-9 MEAC).  Paris Alston led all players with seven rebounds.

The Lady Hornets open the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in Winston-Salem, N.C. on Monday.  Seedings and matchups will be announced by the conference on Friday.   For more information on the MEAC Tournament, please visit www.meachoops.com or www.DSUHornets.com. 

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