Delaware State, fueled by 32 South Carolina State turnovers, handed the Lady Bulldogs a 62-49 setback Saturday, spoiling the MEAC debut for SC State first-year head coach Doug Robertson.

 

Robertson’s team outshot the host Lady Hornets from the floor 54.3 percent to 36.8 percent, however, that edge was nullified by the SC State’s 32 miscues -- 20 more than the 12 committed by Delaware State ? which the host turned into 35 points.

 

“How many teams are you going to beat a team when you have 32 turnovers,” said a disappointed Robertson after the game. We must to a better job of protecting the basketball and must cut down on our many mental lapses. We have a long way to go to be more competitive on the floor.”

 

Robertson did acknowledge his team’s second-half effort, which saw the Lady Bulldogs cut a 20-point lead to eight midway the period.

 

“We never quit and made a nice run in the second half to get to within eight points,” Robertson said. “But we could have gotten even closer and put more pressure on them (Lady Hornets) if we had not had a couple of mental lapses and led to turnovers during the rally.

 

“We just have to show more intensity, and it must start in practice. When we realize this, we will get better.”

 

Center Marie Reid and forward Kristin Johnson, both seniors, each had 15 points to lead SC State. Junior guard Sophilia Hipps added 12 points in the loss, which dropped the Lady Bulldogs to 3-9 on the season and 0-1 in the MEAC.

 

Jenell Moore, who was seeing action for the first time since sustaining a concussion against Florida International Dec. 22, came off the bench for a game-high nine rebounds for Robertson’s squad.

 

Sonia Johnson as the only Lady Hornet in double figures with 10 points, along with a team-high six rebounds. Jameka Smith contributed eight points, while Ashley Thompson, Keyhana Wakefield and Selena Galloway added seven each.

 

Delaware State improved to 2-0 in the MEAC and climbed to 5-9 on the season with the victory.

 

The Lady Hornets scored 24 points off 19 SC State first-half turnovers to roll to a 39-20 lead at intermission.

 

The Del-State lead swelled to 20 three times, the last time at 47-27 with 15:50 left before SC State went on a 19-7 run to close to within 54-46 on a drive by Johnson. The Lady Hornets scored the next four points for a 56-48 edge at the 3:37 mark and pulled away for the victory.

 

The SC State women will play the second game in a four-game MEAC road swing Monday at Maryland Eastern Shore. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.