Bulldogs Snap Three-Game Skid, Beat NC A&T 72-65

GREENSBORO, NC (SCSU) – Eric Eaves had 20 points and Tashombe Riley 16, all but two in the final half, to lead South Carolina State to a 72-65 win over North Carolina A&T Monday at Corbett Sports Center. Eaves became the second Bulldog this season to reach the 1000-point plateau. The Columbia senior came into the game needing 16 points to join teammate Ed Stephens, who reached the mark against Hampton earlier.

The Bulldogs snapped a three-game losing streak with the win, which lifted Coach Murray Garvin’s team to 8-17 overall and 5-7 in the MEAC. The host Aggies, who snapped a 22-game losing streak with an 86-78 win over Allen University Feb. 7, fell to 2-24 and remained winless in the MEAC at 0-11.

The Bulldogs, who led by as many as 14 in the first half, took a 36-29 lead to the locker room, but the Aggies got the first two baskets of the final period to close the gap to 36-33 on a basket by James Whittaker with 18:39 to play.

The Bulldogs used an 11-4 run to build a 47-37 lead on Riley’s short jumper with 13:20 showing, but the Aggies rallied once more, pulling to within 60-57 on a basket by Aaron Scales with 3:39 to play. But Riley nailed another jumper and Eaves made one of two from the line to give SC State a 63-57 cushion with 2:47 on the clock.

A 3-pointer by Sam Hunt brought the host to within three again, 65-62, with 1:15 on the clock but Greg Mortimer answered with a 3-pointer for the Bulldogs for a 68-62 lead at the 1:02 mark and SC State pulled away for the win.

“It was a great road win for our team and I’m proud of our players, Garvin said following the win. We fought hard. NC A&T is a well-coach team and their record is not indicative of how hard they played tonight. But, we kept our composure and fought through adversity and pulled out the win.

“I’d like to congratulate (Eric) Eaves for reaching the 1000-point mark. He did it in two years and I believe that is the fastest anyone had done at SC State lately.

“Now we have a short turnaround as we have to battle Norfolk State on the road Wednesday. We can enjoy this win for short while but it’s important that we are read to play Wednesday.

The Aggies, who are coached by former Bulldog player Jay Joyner, was led by Whittaker with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Scales added 14 points, Davaris McGowns came off the bench for 12 and Hunt chipped in 10 for NC A&T.

SC State had one of its best shooting nights of the season, nailing half of its 52 attempts from the field for 50 percent accuracy and also made 11-22 from beyond the arc.

The Aggies enjoyed a big edge on the boards, grabbing 38 to just 20 for SC State. The big edge helped the host stay close.