Eaves scores 35, SC State beats Bethune-Cookman 85-72

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) Eric Eaves had a career-high 35 points Thursday night and South Carolina State beat Bethune-Cookman 85-72 in the regular-season finale for both teams.

Greg Mortimer added 15 points, Najee Pritchett scored 11 and Ed Stephens 10 for the Bulldogs (17-13, 12-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference), who locked up the No. 3 seed in next week's conference tournament.

SC State closed the final 7:30 on a 22-9 run starting with nine straight points to pull away from a 63-all tie with the Wildcats (14-17, 10-6).

Eaves had 18 points in the first half when the Bulldogs built a 44-38 lead. South Carolina State had a 46-32 edge on the boards.

Jordan Potts had 21 points for Bethune-Cookman, which opened the game with an 11-2 run. Mario Moody added 14 points and Ricky Johnson and Diamante Lewis scored 10 each.