ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Coppin State edged South Carolina State 59-57 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Monday afternoon at SHM Memorial Center. The Eagles, who trailed 28-22 at halftime, used a 37-point second half to rally for the narrow victory. Hussain Williams led Coppin State with 12 points. South Carolina State’s James Morrow had 10 points and five assists. The Bulldogs had a chance to tie after a Jayden Johnson jumper with seven seconds left, but the Eagles secured the ensuing inbounds pass to run out the clock. Coppin State improved to 6-20, while South Carolina State fell to 6-18. An announced crowd of 200 attended.

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grinding defense and missed opportunities, the Coppin State Eagles edged the South Carolina State Bulldogs 59-57 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball clash on Monday afternoon at a sparsely attended SHM Memorial Center. The contest, played before 200 spectators, saw the visiting Eagles overcome a six-point halftime deficit to snap a modest two-game winning streak by the Bulldogs and avenge a two-point loss from just over a month prior. South Carolina State, which entered as a 4.5-point favorite according to sportsbooks, controlled the opening period behind a disruptive defensive effort. The Bulldogs built a 28-22 lead at intermission, capitalizing on 10 first-half Coppin State turnovers. Cameron Clark of South Carolina State was a force early, recording three blocks and altering numerous shots in the paint to stymie the Eagles’ offense. The momentum shifted decisively after halftime. Coppin State emerged with renewed energy, opening the second half on a 13-4 run to take a 35-32 lead, a stretch capped by a 3-pointer from Khali Horton of Erie, Pennsylvania. The Eagles’ defense tightened, forcing the Bulldogs into contested shots and stringing together stops. The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute. With Coppin State clinging to a 55-53 lead, South Carolina State’s Owen Bronston of Fairfield, Ohio, was fouled on a drive with 14 seconds remaining. Bronston calmly sank both free throws to tie the game, sending a ripple through the quiet arena. On the ensuing inbound play, Coppin State’s Jamari Piercy of Griffin, Georgia, was fouled by Jayden Johnson with 13 seconds left. Piercy, showing notable composure, also made both free throws to restore the Eagles’ lead at 57-55. South Carolina State raced downcourt and Johnson answered with a tough pull-up jumper in transition with just seven seconds on the clock, knotting the score again at 57-57 and forcing Coppin State to call its final timeout. The game’s decisive moment came on the final possession. Coppin State inbounded to Torrin Andrews, who drove hard into the lane and drew a blocking foul on Rayniel Wright with six-tenths of a second remaining. Andrews missed the first free throw but made the second, giving the Eagles a precarious 58-57 lead. South Carolina State’s desperation full-court heave was off target, and a final free throw by Coppin State as time expired provided the final margin. Hussain Williams led Coppin State with 12 points, all in the second half, providing a crucial offensive spark. Demariontay Hall of Atlanta added 12 points and Jamari Piercy finished with 11, including the pivotal late free throws. Camaren Sparrow of Baltimore contributed six points, three assists and two blocks in a strong all-around effort. For South Carolina State, James Morrow of Jacksonville, Florida, paced the Bulldogs with 10 points, five assists and a block. Owen Bronston scored 11 points, while Florian Tenebay of Martinique, France, logged a game-high 34 minutes, adding five points, three assists and three steals in a losing effort. The loss was a stark statistical anomaly for South Carolina State, which had been projected by National Statistical’s ELO system with an 86.7% probability to win. The combined score of 116 points fell dramatically under the sportsbook over/under line of 143.5, underscoring the defensive struggle. With the victory, Coppin State improved to 6-20 overall. South Carolina State fell to 6-18. Both teams continue MEAC play later this week, with the Eagles hosting Maryland-Eastern Shore and the Bulldogs welcoming North Carolina Central.

Preview: Coppin State Eagles at South Carolina State Bulldogs ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking momentum in the back half of Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play will meet Monday when the South Carolina State Bulldogs host the Coppin State Eagles. The matchup at SHM Memorial Center features teams with nearly identical struggles this season. The visiting Eagles enter at 5-20 overall, while the Bulldogs are 6-17. Both squads are looking to build on rare recent victories. Coppin State arrives with a surge of confidence after a narrow 58-56 road win at North Carolina Central on Saturday. The Eagles’ defense secured the victory, holding their opponent to 34% shooting. Camaren Sparrow, a player to watch for Coppin State, contributed 12 points in 21 minutes off the bench in that win. The guard has been a key rotational piece, averaging 7.6 points over his last five games and providing defensive energy with nine blocks in that stretch. South Carolina State last played on Feb. 7, suffering an 85-57 road loss to Howard. The Bulldogs will have had over a week to prepare for this rematch. They won the first meeting this season, 74-72, at Coppin State on Jan. 12. In that game, the Bulldogs erased a 10-point halftime deficit. A key player for the Bulldogs is Derwin Hodge, who has started the last four games. The guard is coming off a performance against Howard where he posted six points, three assists and four blocks. His defensive activity will be crucial against a Coppin State team that has shown recent improvement. Beyond the conference implications, this game represents one of the more winnable remaining opportunities for both programs. Coppin State’s victory over North Carolina Central snapped a three-game skid, while South Carolina State’s last win was a 63-54 home victory over Maryland-Eastern Shore on Feb. 4. The Eagles will look to avenge their earlier two-point loss to the Bulldogs and secure a season split. South Carolina State aims to protect its home floor and sweep the regular-season series. Tip-off is set for Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, in Orangeburg.