DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman's five-game winning streak as well as a nine-year homecoming victory run came to an end  Saturday as South Carolina State posted a 27-19 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory before 12,202 at Daytona Stadium.

The Bulldog defense registered four fourth-down stops and two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown late in the first half as South Carolina State (5-2 overall, 3-1 conference) handed Bethune-Cookman (6-2,4-1) its first league loss and its first in a homecoming since a 16-10 setback to Winston-Salem State in 2009.

BCU had a late chance to tie the game after Jimmie Robinson blocked a field goal to give the Wildcats one last possession with less than two minutes remaining.

Akevious Williams connected with Marcus Riley for a 15-yard gain on fourth-and-14, but three sacks by the Bulldogs ended the drive.

The Wildcats took a 13-7 lead on Williams' 47-yard catch-and-run to Que'shaun Byrd  with 6:55 remaining in the first half, but the Bulldogs responded with 20 unanswered points.

SCSU quickly answered with a 46-yard Corey Fields to De'Montre Burroughs strike two plays later. After stopping BCU on fourth down, Tyrece Nick threw a 13-yarder to Shaquan Davis to give the Bulldogs a 20-13 lead with 1:30 left in the half. A 55-yard Zafir Kelly pick six gave SCSU a 27-13 halftime lead.

Williams, who finished 12 of 27 for 262 yards, connected with Darryl Powell Jr. on a 49-yard touchdown that cut it to 27-19 with 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

LaDerrien Wilson scored BCU's first touchdown on a 1-yard run with 11:08 remaining in the first half.

Steffon Francois and Jonathon Thomas each caught three passes for 60 and 43 yards, respectively. Isaac Washington rushed for 33 yards on 17 carries.

Devin James led the Wildcat defense with 12 tackles, while Davonte Lawrence and Marquis Hendrix had ten each.

BCU is off next week and returns to action November 9 at Delaware State.