ORANGEBURG, S.C. -- Matthew Hezekiah scored 16 points and had 10 rebounds to lead South Carolina State to a 78-71 victory in its conference opener over University of Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday night.

SC State (5-9, 1-0 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) opened up a 17-point lead in the first half on a pair of Jalen White free throws that made it 37-20 with 2:44 left but UMES shaved the advantage to 40-30 at the intermission. The Bulldogs were outscored 41-38 in the second half but held on for the win.

White and Adama Adams contributed 14 points each and Karon Wright had 11 for the Bulldogs, who shot 55 percent from the field and were 7 of 14 from 3-point range.

UMES (2-12, 0-2) pulled to within five late in the second half, 57-52, but couldn't close the gap.

Hakeem Baxter led the Hawks with 23 points and KyRee Jones had 20.