South Carolina State Stumbles Out of NCAA Tournament After Last-Second Mishap

It’s March, and the madness of college basketball is in full swing. But for South Carolina State, the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men’s basketball tournament final turned into a heartbreak they won’t soon forget.

In a game that teetered on the edge of glory and disaster, Caleb McCarty of South Carolina State initially looked like the Bulldogs' savior. With time running out, he intercepted an inbounds pass and tied the score at 65 against Norfolk State, injecting hope into his team and fans alike. But the joy was fleeting.

What followed was the kind of moment that makes you wince even as a spectator. With just 10.6 seconds remaining, McCarty chased down Norfolk State’s Christian Ings and intentionally fouled him—apparently unaware of the tied score. His teammates were visibly stunned, throwing their arms up in disbelief as Ings was handed a trip to the free-throw line.

Ings scored one of the two free throws, leaving South Carolina State with one final chance to snatch victory. But their last-second shot missed the mark, and Norfolk State erupted in celebration, punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament as MEAC champions.

McCarty’s stat line—four points and two rebounds in 19 minutes off the bench—did little to soften the blow. Adding salt to the wound, the Bulldogs had led 34-25 at halftime but were outplayed in the second half, with Norfolk State clawing back to outscore them 41-31.

South Carolina State’s Wilson Dubinsky delivered a stellar performance, racking up 24 points, two rebounds, and three assists. On the other side, Norfolk State’s Christian Ings led his team with 16 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, proving to be a thorn in the Bulldogs’ side all night.

For South Carolina State, this was a game that slipped through their fingers, leaving them to wonder what could have been. As for Norfolk State, they’re moving forward, ready to take on the NCAA Tournament stage with the confidence of champions.