NORFOLK, Va.- Mid-Eastern Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year
Myasia Jones scored 14 points before fouling out but it was the defensive effort of seventh seeded South Carolina State which held SSU to shoot 29.8 percent from the field in a 62-53 win over the Lady Tigers in the first round of the MEAC Tournament at Scope Arena.
The loss eliminates Savannah State (7-19) from the tournament as they closed out their run as members of the conference and Division I..
Although South Carolina State won the rebounding battle, 44 to 28, Savannah State forced the Bulldogs to make 23 turnovers."We won the turnover battle and shot well from the free throw line, but we dug a hole early before fighting back at the end," said Baker.
The hole Baker was referencing to was a 11-point deficit the Lady Tigers had in the second quarter. South Carolina State went ahead by 13 with 5:56 remaining in the third quarter before SSU strung together a 15-7 run to start the fourth quarter to get within 52-50 with 3:45 remaining.
The Bulldogs put Savannah State away with ten unanswered points to stretch their advantage to 62-50 with 12 seconds left.
South Carolina State led 17-10 after one quarter of play and 27-19 at the half.
SSU sliced a 34-21 deficit to five in the third quarter but the Bulldogs closed the quarter by scoring eight of the final ten points to enter the fourth quarter with a 45-34 cushion.
Savannah State, who was the tenth seed in the tournament, outscored the Bulldogs 19-17 in the final quarter.
The Lady Tigers shot 23.5 percent from beyond the arc and made 15 of 18 free throw attempts.
Taylor Brown paced South Carolina State (16-15) with 17 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and two assists.
The Bulldogs shot 41.3 percent from the floor, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and 59.4 percent from the free throw line.
