South Carolina State beats Morgan State 82-78

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) Eric Eaves scored 22, Gabe McCray had 17 points with eight rebounds and South Carolina State beat Morgan State 82-78 Monday night.

Cedric Blossom hit 1 of 2 free throws to trim Morgan State's deficit to 81-78 with 21 seconds left. McCray split a pair at the line to give SC State a four-point lead and Blossom missed a shot at the buzzer.

Ed Stephens added 16 points for SC State (14-11, 9-2), which has won nine of its last 10 games and is tied atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with Hampton. Tashombe Riley scored 10 with nine rebounds and Ty Soloman had eight of the Bulldogs' 17 assists.

SC State closed the first half on a 9-0 run, capped by Daryll Palmer's put-back dunk, for a 39-32 lead.

Blossom led Morgan State (5-17, 3-6) with 23 points. Phillip Carr had 15 points and 10 rebounds.