Preview: Delaware State Hornets at South Carolina State Bulldogs

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to reverse difficult seasons will meet Thursday when the Delaware State Hornets visit the South Carolina State Bulldogs in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women’s basketball matchup.

The game, scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026, at the SHM Memorial Center, features a pair of programs with a combined 8-30 overall record. South Carolina State (5-14) holds a slight edge in wins over Delaware State (3-16), but both enter on losing streaks within conference play.

The Hornets are looking to snap a five-game skid, most recently falling 61-59 to Morgan State on Saturday. In that narrow defeat, guard Ericka Huggins erupted for a season-high 28 points. Huggins, a key player to watch for Delaware State, has shown high-scoring potential but has been inconsistent, tallying just four points in two of her previous five outings.

South Carolina State is aiming to rebound from a lopsided 85-41 home loss to Norfolk State, also on Saturday. The Bulldogs had shown promise prior to that, securing a conference road win at Coppin State (58-47) on Jan. 8. A player to watch for the Bulldogs is Ja’Siiyah Holmes, who provides a defensive presence. Holmes recorded three blocks in both the loss to Norfolk State and the win over Coppin State this month.

Delaware State’s struggles have been marked by offensive challenges, failing to reach 55 points in seven of their last ten games. South Carolina State has also faced scoring droughts, being held under 45 points in four of its last ten contests.

This matchup represents a critical opportunity for either team to build momentum in MEAC play. The Bulldogs won the teams’ only meeting last season, 65-56, on Feb. 24, 2025. They will meet again in Dover, Delaware, on Feb. 26.

Following this contest, Delaware State travels to face North Carolina Central on Saturday, Jan. 24. South Carolina State remains at home to host Maryland-Eastern Shore on the same day.

Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. EST.