Orangeburg, S.C. (Jan. 31, 2015) --- Delaware State cut a 14-point second half deficit to two on four occasions down the stretch, but fell short in a 78-74 loss to South Carolina State in a MEAC contest at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Center this evening.
SC State scored the first seven points of the game and led 33-24 at the half. The Bulldogs used an 11-2 run to open up the biggest lead of the game with less than nine minutes to play. Gabe McCray capped off the run with a free throw to give SC State a 56-42 lead with 8:50 remaining in the game.
The Hornets answered with a 15-4 run, and pulled to within 60-57 on a three-point shot by Kendal Williams at the 5:10 mark of the second half. Tyshawn Bell hit two three-pointers, while Williams and Amere May each knocked down a three-ball during the spurt.
After the Bulldogs rebuilt their lead to 66-59, the Hornets scored five unanswered points to cut the deficit to two points. Bell capped off the rally with a lay-up off a South Carolina State turnover to pull the Hornets to within 66-64 with 2:27 left.
The Bulldogs were ahead 69-64 when May nailed his fourth three-pointer of game to again get the Hornets to within two at the 1:25 mark of the second half.
SC State responded with a 5-0 run to open up a 74-67 lead with 53 seconds remaining. May hit two free throws and Williams knocked down a three-pointer, sandwiched around two missed free throws by the Bulldogs, to pull the Hornets to within 74-72 with 33 seconds left.
SC State's Edward Stephens hit two free throws to give his team a four-point lead, but Gray scored on a follow-up dunk on DSU's next possession to make it a two-point game again.
After the Bulldogs closed out the scoring on two free throws by Tashombe Riley with 14 seconds to play, the Hornets came up empty on their final possession.
The loss overshadowed a career performance by DSU's Williams, who posted career-highs of 20 points and eight assists. He also tied his career-best with four three-point field goals; and was perfect on six free throws while playing all 40 minutes.
Gray recorded his 13th double-double of the season, tying his career-high with 21 points (9-12 FGs) and pulling down 16 rebounds. Gray has reached double-figures in rebounds in nine straight games, and 15 times overall this season. He entered the contest as the NCAA Div. I rebound leader at 12.8 per game.
May led all players with 22 points, including 20 in the second half. His performance was also highlighted by four three-point field goals. May has six games with 20-or-more points this season.
Stephens led four South Carolina State players in double figures with 21 points. Greg Mortimer added 13 points, while Darryl Palmer contributed 12 (6-7 FGs) and Riley 10 for the Bulldogs.
South Carolina State held a big advantage in bench points in the game. Bulldog reserves outscored Delaware State's 23-2.
Gray and Williams played the entire game or the Hornets, while Palmer was the only SC State player with 30 minutes.
Delaware State hit just nine of 30 shots from the floor in the first half (30%) and was 25-for-66 for the game (37.9%). The Hornets hit 10 three-pointers in the contest (10-for-29), tying their second best output of the season.
South Carolina State was 31-for-64 from the field (48.4%), including four-of-14 from beyond the arc (28.6%).
The Bulldogs won the rebound battle 44-39, while each team committed 12 turnovers.
The Hornets dropped their second straight game to fall to 10-11 overall and 4-3 in the MEAC. The Bulldogs won for the third time in four games to improve to 8-15 and 6-3. SC State also avenged a 60-49 loss to DSU on Jan. 17 in Dover, Del.
Delaware State returns to action on Tuesday (Feb. 3) with a non-conference game against NJIT. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Newark, N.J.
