ORANGEBURG, SC (January 29, 2022) — Jemal Davis finished with a team-high 19 points, South Carolina State fell short in knocking off top-ranked Norfolk State, 87-69, Saturday (Jan. 29th) in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
Rahsaan Edwards and Rakeim Gary each added nine (9), while Omar Croskey and T.J. Madlock chipped in seven (7) points each in the loss.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs led the way in points off turnovers (15-12) and bench points (21-18). Norfolk State led 30-28 during intermission.
The battle started early with eight league changes. A three-pointer by Gary at the 13:08 mark push the Bulldogs ahead six, 50-44 midway through the second half. Jalen Hawkins nailed a three-pointer with 8:31 remaining.
Back-to-back three-pointers down the stretch by Joe Bryant sealed the victory for the Spartans. Bryant finished with a game-high 22 points, while Hawkins added 17 in the win.
South Carolina State falls to 10-11 overall, 2-3 in the MEAC, while Norfolk State improves to 15-4 overall, 6-0 in the league.
UP Next for SC State
South Carolina State will return back to the court on Monday (Jan. 31st) in a league showdown with visiting Howard, with the women beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men in a 7:30 p.m. start.