Preview: Howard Hosts South Carolina State in MEAC Women’s Basketball

WASHINGTON (Interstat) — The Howard Lady Bison, riding a four-game winning streak, will host the struggling South Carolina State Bulldogs in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup on Saturday at Burr Gymnasium.

Howard (16-7, 6-1 MEAC) enters as the clear favorite, sitting near the top of the conference standings. The Lady Bison have won seven of their last eight games, including a 68-59 victory over Norfolk State on Jan. 31. Their recent success has been fueled by forward Nile Miller, who is coming off a stretch of dominant performances. Miller recorded consecutive double-doubles against Norfolk State (12 points, 10 rebounds) and Morgan State (11 points, 10 rebounds) last month, providing consistent interior presence.

South Carolina State (5-16, 2-5) looks to halt a three-game skid, most recently a 73-53 home loss to Maryland-Eastern Shore on Wednesday. The Bulldogs have found wins scarce, with their last victory coming on Jan. 10 at Morgan State. Guard Feliah Greer will be a key for the visitors; she dished out seven assists in the loss to Maryland-Eastern Shore. However, team scoring has been an issue, as the Bulldogs have been held under 50 points in four of their last seven games.

This will be the second meeting between the teams this season. Howard narrowly won the first contest 68-64 in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on Jan. 3.

The matchup pits one of the MEAC’s hottest teams against one seeking to regain footing. Howard’s balanced attack, averaging over 67 points per game during its winning streak, will test a South Carolina State defense that has allowed 73 points per game in its last three outings.

Tip-off is set for Saturday afternoon. Howard will look to maintain its momentum before a road trip to Delaware State on Feb. 12. South Carolina State continues its road swing at Coppin State on Feb. 12.