Derrick Patterson of South Carolina State hits the boards and puts back the follow. (759k avi) | QuickTime (754k)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Top-seeded South Carolina State (22-7) beat second seed Coppin State 69-56 on Saturday in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship game, giving the Bulldogs their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1989.
Eric Fernandez scored 19 points and MEAC tournament MVP Derrick Patterson had 17 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks for South Carolina State (22-7 overall, 17-2 MEAC).
MEAC Rookie of the Year Roderick Blakney scored 17 points and Jamal Brown had 10 points and 10 rebounds for South Carolina State. MEAC Player of the Year Terquin Mott had 16 points and nine rebounds for Coppin State (19-10, 16-3) and Antoine Brockington finished with 17 points.