ICYMI: Morgan State Edges SC State Monday Night

ORANGEBURG, SC (SCSU) – South Carolina State built a 13-point lead with just over nine minutes to play, but visiting Morgan State stormed back to take a 77-75 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory Monday at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

The setback was a bitter loss for Coach Murray Gavin’s team, which went just 2-2 in its four-game home stand to dip to 5-13 overall and 2-3 in the MEAC. Morgan State, meanwhile, improved to 8-11 and 5-1 in the league.

James “JJ” Richardson came off the bench for 20 points to lead SC State in the loss. Greg Mortimer added 15 points and Ed Stephens and Tashombe Riley eight each. Ozante Fields led the Bulldogs on the boards with eight rebounds and added seven points, as did Eric Eaves, all in the opening half.

The Bears got a game-high 29 points from Tiwian Kendley, who led the Morgan State comeback with 14 of his total in the final eight minutes. Kendley, who was 13-14 from the line, made all 10 of his free throws in the closing minutes. The Bulldogs, meanwhile, missed 11 free throws overall, including five during the Bear rally.

“It’s a disappointing loss,” said Garvin following the game. Free throws win ball games and when you don’t make them at crucial times, it can cost you a game. That’s what happened to us. Leaving 11 points at the line was the reason we lost this game.”

SC State took a 61-49 lead on a Stephens’ 3-pointer with 9:15 to play. Tyler Streeter, who finished with 10 points canned a 3-pointer to ignite an 11-3 run that pulled the visitors to within 64-60 with 5:39 showing.

Stephens made one of two from the line but Isiah Graves, who had 11 points for the Bears got consecutive 3-pointers to put the Bears ahead 66-65 with 4:13 to play. The Bulldogs regained the lead on two Richardson free throws but Morgan tied in moments later at 68-68.

Graves and Kendley got back to back baskets for a 72-68 Bear advantage with 2:03 left and the Bulldogs were unable to overcome the deficit, getting to with one at 76-75 with 08 seconds left. After a Morgan free throw by Streeter with 7.2 seconds to play, SC State got a shot at the buzzer by Eaves but it was off the mark as time expired.

Richardson came off the bench for eight first-half points on 4-5 shooting to spark the Bulldogs who took a 35-30 lead to the locker room. Richardson fed Riley for a dunk to give SC State its first lead at 12-11 just under 12 minutes left in the period. The Bulldog senior scored his team’s next six points to give his team an 18-15 advantage at the 9:16 mark.

The contest was tied four times after that, the final time at 28-all before the Bulldogs went on a 7-2 run to close the half and take its five-point halftime lead.