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GREENSBORO — N.C. A&T rode strong play from its backcourt Wednesday night to an 87-69 win over S.C. State in MEAC men's basketball at the Corbett Sports Center.

Point guards Tavarus Alston (Smith) and Marc Hill provided the dribble penetration and scoring. Junior Nic Simpson contributed with timely 3-point shooting, and senior Dwane Joshua took care of the rebounding.

Alston finished with 23 points and six assists, while Hill added a career-high 18 points. Simpson scored 12 points, on four 3-pointers, and Joshua grabbed seven rebounds.

"My guards were just stroking the ball today," said Aggies coach Jerry Eaves. "We were hitting our shots like I know we can do. And when you have a guard who can rebound the ball like Dwane Joshua, you're going to be a very good team."

For the second time in three home games A&T (10-17, 6-7 MEAC) shot better than 50 percent from the floor.

"We were able to beat a very good opponent tonight," Eaves said of a S.C. State team that handed Morgan State its only MEAC loss of the season. "Shots are starting to fall because we are getting more offensive opportunities, thanks to our improved rebounding."

SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (14-10) — Porter 5-9 8-8 19, Pitt 0-1 0-0 0, Flagler 6-12 1-1 13, Toombs 1-7 0-0 2, Bennett 1-3 0-0 3, T.Williams 3-9 6-7 12, Smalls 3-9 3-4 10, A.Williams 2-7 4-6 8, Telfare 0-2 0-0 0, Maxey 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 22-60 22-26 69.

N.C A&T (10-17) — Witter 1-3 0-0 3, Johnson 3-6 0-0 7, Coleman 1-2 3-6 5, Alston 9-17 4-7 23, Joshua 2-8 0-2 5, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Powell 0-1 0-0 0, Hill 6-9 4-6 18, Simpson 4-7 0-0 12, Upchurch 2-2 1-2 5, Porter 3-3 3-4 9. Totals 31-58 15-27 87.

S.C. State 28 41 — 69
N.C. A&T 30 57 — 87

Percentages—S.C. State (FG .367, FT .846), N.C. A&T (FG .534, FT .556)
3-point goals—S.C. State 3-16 (Bennett 1-2, Porter 1-3, Smalls 1-5, T.Williams 0-1, Telfare 0-1, Toombs 0-4), N.C. A&T 10-24 (Simpson 4-6, Hill 2-4, Witter 1-2, Johnson 1-3, Alston 1-4, Joshua 1-5).
Fouled out—Toombs.
Rebounds—S.C. State 30 (Porter, Toombs, A.Williams 5), N.C. A&T 42 (Coleman 8).
Assists—S.C. State 11 (Toombs 4), N.C. A&T 15 (Alston 6).
Total fouls—S.C. State 21, N.C. A&T 24.
Blocks—S.C. State 3 (Porter, T.Williams, Smalls), N.C. A&T 8 (Coleman 3, Porter 3).
Turnovers—S.C. State 15 (Porter 5, T.Williams 4), N.C. A&T 17 (Alston 4, Porter 3).
Steals—S.C. State 7 (Maxey 2, T.Williams 2), N.C. A&T 8 (Alston 3, Simpson 2).
A—1,831.