SCSU Lady Bulldogs Win Big in Home Opener

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The South Carolina State University Lady Bulldogs got a big win in their home opener defeating UNC-Asheville, 89-73, Thursday night. The Lady Bulldogs got a huge lift from their bench tonight as the SCSU reserves combined for 47 points in the contest.

S.C. State also benefited from a strong second half showing that saw the team score 47 points in the second stanza after holding on to just a 42-40 lead at the half.

Four Lady Bulldog players scored in double figures on the night with a pair of freshman guards leading the way. SCSU freshman Latoya Dent poured in 19 points to lead all scorers in the contest while fellow freshman Melaney Denson added 14 points and six rebounds in the contest.

Not to be outdone, senior center Yokia Fuller added 14 points and a blocked shot in the win. Junior guard Nicole Rhem also added 10 points and seven steals in the contest.

The first half proved to be a see-saw battle that saw the teams trade leads eight times in the first period of play with SCSU taking a slim 42-40 lead into the half.

However, the second half would prove to be different as the hometown Lady Bulldogs turned up the defensive pressure forcing 19 UNC-Asheville turnovers and limiting them to just 15 shots in the second stanza. The Lady Bulldog offense came alive as well as the team scored 47 points in the second half, including eight Denson points and nine from Dent.

UNC-Asheville (1-3) was led by center Tonisha Jackson, who poured in 16 points in the contest. Shantell Waiters scored the double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Lindsey Roche added 13 points for UNCA.

S.C. State (2-2) will next take on Middle Tennessee State on Saturday, December 14 at 7:00 p.m.