NORFOLK, Va. – Bethune-Cookman's upstart run for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship fell short Saturday as South Carolina State dealt the Lady Wildcats a 4-1 title match setback at Folkes-Stevens Tennis Center.

The Bulldogs (16-4) edged the Lady Wildcats (7-11) in a tiebreaker to take the doubles point, then fended off a singles effort that saw four matches extend to a third set.

Sophomore Rehaana Butt registered BCU's lone point with her win at No. 2 singles.  That gave her a 3-0 mark at singles in the tournament and helped her earn All-tournament honors. She also won two doubles decisions.

Freshman Michelle Ncube was leading her No. 1 singles when play was suspended while Chalina Godbolt, also a freshman, was battling in the third set of match.

Ncube and senior Karen Romero won their doubles match.

The Lady Wildcats were in the championship for the ninth time in program history, the first time since their 2015 title and the first time under Head Coach Val Villucci.