Box Score
ORANGEBURG, SC—All-MEAC senior guard/forward Jason Flagler tossed in a game-high 22 point and grabbed five rebounds, while senior forward Arsenio Williams poured in 16 as South Carolina State posted their fourth-straight league win 72-60 over Hampton Saturday at S-H-M.
South Carolina State improved to 12-8 overall, 6-3 in the MEAC and Hampton falls to 6-15 overall, 4-6 in the league.
“It was a messy game and we missed some good shots under the baskets,” said SC State head coach Tim Carter. “We got it together and were patient with the ball and got Arsenio the touches he needed to finish strong.”
SC State jumped to a quick nine advantage, 16-7 on a steal and layup by Arsenio Williams at the 13:10 mark. Senior guard Brandon Smalls nailed a 3-pointer with 8:51 left in the first half to put the Bulldogs ahead 12, 23-11.
Hampton rallied back to take the lead 27-26 when senior Vincent Simpson poured in 13 unanswered points along with nailing four 3-pointers at the 4:34 mark. Arsenio Williams’s layup with 0:18 seconds gave SC State 34-29 lead at halftime.
The second half the Bulldogs took a commanding 17 point lead, 58-41 off a 3-pointer by junior guard Carrio Bennett. Hampton’s Charles Funches scored a layup with 3:53 left in the game to cut the lead to nine, 62-53.
A tip-in by Arsenio Williams followed by a layup with 0:15 seconds left sealed the 72-60 victory for the Bulldogs.
South Carolina State will return to action on Monday when they host Howard University in an MEAC Doubleheader. The women’s game tip-off at 5:30 p.m., followed by the men’s at 7:30 p.m.
GAME NOTES: SC State shot 25-56 from the field; 19-25 from the free-throw line, and had 11 steals on the night.
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