ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Feb. 7, 2022)-Ja'Niah Henson scored a game-high 19 points to lead three Lady Bears in double figures scoring, as Morgan State defeated South Carolina State, 73-49 on Monday evening at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
 
Morgan State, which improved to 10-6 on the season, 4-2 in the MEAC, completed its road swing through the Carolina's with a 2-0 mark. The win was also the third straight road victory this season for the Lady Bears.
 
South Carolina State fell to 3-18, 3-4 in the MEAC and now trails the all-time series, 41-40. Morgan State has won last six meetings against the Lady Bulldogs.
 
"My performance was all in the flow of the game," said Henson. "My teammates and coaches trust me to facilitate and score as lead point guard. I just try to contribute in every way I can to ensure the win."
 
Henson, shot 8-of-16 from the floor and added three rebounds, three assists and two steals. Adia Brisker, who finished with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, pulled down a team-high nine rebounds, falling one shy of a double-double. Ashia McCalla totaled 10 points, four rebounds and two assists.
 
"One rebound shy of a double-double is really one of the most frustrating things," said Brisker. "But it's the little piece of it that takes the game to another level. It makes me hungrier. It makes me have to work harder and not relax. That means not taking any plays off, locking up on defense, and giving it my all for 40 minutes."
 
"After my 21-point performance (at North Carolina Central), I came into this game confident knowing that my team stood behind me. The preparation did not change. Still mentally and physically preparing over scout, film and winning," said Brisker. "The goal did not change if anything, it set the bar higher to another level. This game has a lot of ups and downs, but being able to be up to get the win is one of the most important things. Now we look to go on a streak."
 
Morgan State, which never trailed in the contest, began the game scoring the first nine points and led 25-13 after a quarter of play. The Lady Bears would carry a 19-point advantage (44-25) into the locker room.
 
Morgan State never let up, as a 15-4 run to start the third quarter gave the guests their largest lead of the night at 30 points (59-29), following a three-point play from Kaia Ponder with 1:29 left in the third.
 
"Before the game started, I pulled the other four starters together and told them that we needed to bring the energy and start fast," said Henson. "We did just that going on a 7-0 run, forcing South Carolina State to call a timeout. I feel like the energy was there from the tip, including the bench cheering us on. Everyone was locked in, energy was high and contagious."
 
Taylor Addison finished with seven points and seven rebounds, while Sunshine McCrae  grabbed six rebounds to go with six points for the Lady Bears. Ponder came off the bench to add seven points on 3-for-3 shooting from the floor.
 
S.C. State was led by Maryland native Trinity Klock, who scored a team-high 14 points and had nine rebounds. Nicole Gwynnn finished with 13 points, three assists and two steals. Victoria Jordan collected a game-high 10 rebounds.
 
"Today's game was a must win game for us. We can't let teams feel comfortable in playing their way," said Brisker. "We have to be the aggressors and I feel like playing together, and still having to make adjustments was just growth for us. There is always more you can do to be better as a team. Today's game showed how to play team basketball and a fight through adversity. Getting everyone on the floor and seeing everyone get an opportunity Is what makes it better."
 
The Lady Bears are back in action on Saturday, Feb. 12, when they welcome the Eagles of North Carolina Central to Hill Field House. Tip-off is at 4 p.m., as the Lady Bears will follow the men's contest, which gets underway at 2 p.m.

Morgan State senior forward and MSU Athletic Communications intern Taylor Addison contributed to this release.

 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.