BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Jayden Johnson scored 18 points, including a decisive floating jumper with three seconds remaining, to lift South Carolina State to a 74-72 victory over Coppin State in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night. The Bulldogs led 28-23 at halftime at Coppin State Physical Education Complex but needed Johnson’s late heroics to hold off a furious second-half rally by the Eagles. Coppin State’s Hassan Perkins missed a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer. Noah Treadwell led all scorers with 19 points for South Carolina State. Perkins paced Coppin State with 16 points. The Bulldogs improved to 3-15 overall, while the Eagles fell to 3-16.

BALTIMORE (Interstat) — In a game defined by a dominant first half and a frantic, desperate second, South Carolina State held off a furious Coppin State rally to escape the Coppin State Physical Education Complex with a 74-72 victory in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday night. The Bulldogs, who led by as many as 16 points in the first half and took a 28-23 advantage into the break, saw that cushion evaporate completely under a second-half onslaught from the Eagles before making the final plays necessary to snap a two-game skid. South Carolina State improved to 3-15 overall, while Coppin State fell to 3-16. The game, played before an intimate gathering of 166 fans, saw the combined point total of 146 fall just under the pregame over/under line of 145, despite the late offensive surge. The contest’s narrative was split distinctly between halves. The opening period was a struggle for both offenses, but South Carolina State’s defense set an early tone. The Bulldogs used their length, particularly from 7-foot-1 center Tim Okojie and 6-10 forwards Cameron Clark and Derwin Hodge, to disrupt Coppin State’s rhythm. The Eagles shot poorly from the floor and committed 10 first-half turnovers, managing only 23 points. South Carolina State, while not efficient, built its lead behind the scoring of guard Jayden Johnson and forward Noah Treadwell. A key sequence late in the half saw Johnson hit a three-pointer and then a driving layup off a steal by Treadwell, pushing the Bulldog lead to 23-12. They would take a five-point lead into halftime, a margin that felt larger given the Eagles’ offensive woes. The second half was a stark reversal. Coppin State emerged from the locker room with immediate energy, spearheaded by guards Hassan Perkins and Torrin Andrews and forward Khali Horton. Horton hit two quick three-pointers, and the Eagles began attacking the rim with purpose. Their defensive pressure intensified, forcing South Carolina State into rushed shots and turnovers. A 12-4 Coppin State run to open the half gave the Eagles their first lead since the game’s opening minutes at 35-32. From there, the game transformed into a tense, back-and-forth affair with eight lead changes. Perkins, who scored all 16 of his points after halftime, became the catalyst for Coppin State, hitting clutch three-pointers and drawing fouls. With the score tied at 61-61 and under four minutes to play, the game reached its critical juncture. South Carolina State’s Johnson, a junior from Brooklyn, New York, answered the call. He hit a difficult turnaround jumper in the lane to put the Bulldogs back ahead, 63-61. After a defensive stop, the Bulldogs worked the clock before finding Florian Tenebay for a mid-range jump shot, extending the lead to four with just under two minutes remaining. Coppin State refused to fade. Perkins was fouled on a three-point attempt with 10 seconds left and calmly sank all three free throws, cutting the deficit to 72-70. On the ensuing inbound, South Carolina State’s Rayniel Wright was fouled and made one of two free throws, making it a three-point game. The Eagles’ final chance came with 3 seconds left. After a quick advance, Perkins launched a potential game-tying three-pointer that missed, and Taj Thweatt was fouled on the rebound attempt with 0.1 seconds on the clock. Thweatt made the first free throw to cut the lead to 74-72 but intentionally missed the second. The rebound was tipped as time expired, securing the narrow victory for the visitors. Johnson led all scorers with 18 points and added five assists for South Carolina State. Treadwell, from Atlanta, provided a crucial offensive spark with 19 points, including five three-pointers. Tenebay, from Martinique, France, added 10 points. Their efforts were vital in countering Coppin State’s second-half surge. For the Eagles, Perkins’ 16 points led the way, with Horton and Andrews each contributing 12. Thweatt finished with nine points and nine rebounds. The most important part of the game was unquestionably South Carolina State’s ability to withstand Coppin State’s complete second-half transformation and execute in the final two minutes. After surrendering a 16-point lead and falling behind, the Bulldogs displayed a resilience that has been rare in a season with only three wins. Johnson’s late-game scoring and the team’s crucial defensive stops in the final minute, after being porous for much of the second half, provided the minimal margin needed for victory. It was a game the Bulldogs controlled, then nearly lost, and ultimately secured by making the decisive plays in the closing moments against an inspired comeback. South Carolina State returns home to face Norfolk State on Saturday. Coppin State travels to face Maryland-Eastern Shore, also on Saturday.

Preview: South Carolina State at Coppin State BALTIMORE (Interstat) — Two men’s basketball teams seeking a foothold in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference standings will meet Monday when the Coppin State Eagles host the South Carolina State Bulldogs. The matchup at Coppin State’s Physical Education Complex features teams with a combined 5-30 record. Coppin State (3-15 overall) enters following an 88-77 home loss to North Carolina Central on Saturday. South Carolina State (2-15) fell 72-67 at Morgan State the same day. The game represents a chance for both to build momentum in MEAC play. The Eagles earned their third win of the season on Jan. 3, a 53-51 road victory at Delaware State. The Bulldogs’ last win was that same day, a 58-57 home triumph over Howard. A key matchup will feature South Carolina State guard Jayden Johnson against Coppin State’s Taj Thweatt. Johnson has been a consistent offensive bright spot for the Bulldogs, scoring 23 or more points in three of his last five games. He poured in 25 points in a loss at then-Tennessee on Dec. 30 and added 24 in the win over Howard. Thweatt, a forward for the Eagles, is coming off one of his better performances with 13 points in 18 minutes in the win at Delaware State. His production has varied, but he posted nine points and six rebounds at Radford on Dec. 14. Both teams have struggled defensively, each allowing opponents to score 80 or more points frequently during non-conference play. South Carolina State’s losses include setbacks at Tennessee, South Carolina and Missouri. Coppin State’s difficult schedule featured road games at Georgetown, West Virginia and Liberty. The Bulldogs’ offense runs through Johnson, who will challenge a Coppin State defense allowing an average of 82.2 points per game. Conversely, the Eagles will look to exploit a South Carolina State defense that has conceded 79.6 points per contest. This begins a pivotal stretch for both programs as they navigate the MEAC schedule. Coppin State travels to Maryland-Eastern Shore next Saturday, while South Carolina State hosts Norfolk State next Saturday. Monday’s tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. EST.