Women's Basketball 1/15/2008 5:00:00 AM MEAC Media Relations

South Carolina State Holds Off UMES, 65-62

South Carolina State squandered an 18-point second-half lead but made five of seven shots from the line in the final minute to earn a 65-62 lead over visiting Maryland Eastern Shore Monday in a MEAC contest at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

The victory snapped a four-game losing streak by the Lady Bulldogs who evened their MEAC record at 1-1 and improved to 4-9 on the season.

Sophomore Sophilia Hipps led SC State with points, including a three-point play that broke a 58-all deadlock with 58 seconds on the clock. Jenell Moore had a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds, and Patience Figgins added 14 points and five assists in the win.

The Lady Hawks were led by April McBride, who led all scorers with 27 points. Casey Morton contributed 17 points and Tiffany Reid 13 in the loss for UMES, which fell to 7-7 overall and 0-1 in the league.

S.C. State, which led by as many as 18 points in the first-half, enjoyed a similar advantage in the final stanza when Hipps jumper put the host ahead 36-18 with 18:15 showing.

After a miss by the visitors on the other end, McBride got a steal for the Hawks and converted a layup with 17:39 left and triggering a 23-5 run that pulled UMES even at 41-41 on a McBride layup with 9:44 on the clock. The Lady Hawks hit five three-point baskets, three by Morton and two by Reid during the run.

A Moore layup with 9:26 left put the Lady Bulldogs back in front, 43-41, and the lead but the Lady Hawks came right back to tie at 43-all on a Reid jumper with 8:49 left.

The contest stayed close, with SC State maintaining a 1-2 point advantage before the Lady Hawks tied the game once more at 58-58 on two McBride free throws. That was the last of seven second-half ties.

A driving three-point play by Hipps, with just under a minute left put SC State ahead 61-58. The Lady Hawks closed to within one twice but SC State made five of seven from the line to hold on for a much-needed win.

The Lady Bulldogs return to action Saturday when they host Hampton in an ESPNU telecast. Tipoff has been moved up to 12 noon for the broadcast. The men’s contest will follow at 3 p.m.