Women's Basketball 1/26/2008 5:00:00 AM MEAC Media Relations

Hipps, South Carolina State Too Much For NSU, Win 74-58

Sophilia Hipps had a game-high 22 points, 15 in the second
half, and Marie Reid contributed 18 for South Carolina State as the Lady Bulldogs surpassed Norfolk State 74-58 on Saturday afternoon at Echols Hall.

NSU (2-13, 0-6 MEAC), playing with only six players due to the indefinite suspension of four players, played one of its better games this season. The Spartans had a season-low 15 turnovers, made a season-high eight 3-pointers,and had a season-high tying 15 steals.

The six Spartans, affectionately called the "Sensational Six" by fans and supporters, forced a total of 32 Lady Bulldog turnovers and only allowed six SCSU (6-10, 3-2) steals.

NSU kept it close the entire first half and led by as many as seven halfway through the period. A layup by Raychele Payne put the
Spartans up 19-12 with 9:37 left in the half.

A pair of free throws by Jenell Moore gave SCSU a 26-25 lead with 2:01 left but Natasha Huntley tied the game at 28-all with a 3-pointer with just over a minute left. Reid hit the first of two free throws
with six seconds left to take a three-point lead, 31-28, into the break.

The Spartans tried to carry over their first-half intensity into the second period, but fatigue caught up with the "Six" and the game eventually slipped away. Payne hit two free throws with 16:08 left in the game to bring NSU within one, 38-37, but the Lady Bulldogs used their 10-player rotation to wear down NSU.

Ebony Gibbs hit a 3-pointer with 11:33 left to cut the deficit to 10, 50-40, but the Spartans could get no closer the rest of the way.

A free throw by Patience Figgins with 18 seconds left sealed the win for the Lady Bulldogs. The Spartans played the final 18 seconds with only four players on the court because Mo'Nique Redhead and Tashawna Higgins fouled out.

For SCSU, Moore led the defense with 13 rebounds and had eight points.

Payne and Huntley both recorded career-highs in points with 16 and 15,
respectively. Gibbs also scored in double figures with 15 points and had eight rebounds and four assists. Redhead grabbed a career-high eight rebounds and Higgins tied her personal-best with five boards.

NSU continues its season-long four-game home stand on Monday with a 6 p.m. match up with Winston-Salem State.