Snapping a three-game losing streak is not the only goal for the South Carolina State women’s basketball team at 2 p.m. today at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

For the fans attending today’s doubleheader against Hampton University, the Lady Bulldogs want them to “Think Pink” for a cause.

In support of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s efforts at raising awareness about the fight of breast cancer, the S.C. women will wear pink uniforms for their game against the Lady Pirates. The Lady Bulldogs are among many women’s basketball programs that have joined forces with WBCA’s Pink Zone initiative.

The WBCA Pink Zone initiative is a global, unified effort for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s nation of coaches to assist in raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The week set aside for this year’s initiative is Feb. 13-22. However, many schools are participating outside of that window due to scheduling conflicts. Prior to Saturday’s game a moment of silence will be observed in recognition of North Carolina State’s longtime head coach Kay Yow, who lost her battle with breast cancer in January.

This is the second straight year the Lady Bulldogs have taken part in the Pink Zone initiative. As part of its efforts, S.C. State will honor breast cancer survivors during halftime of the women’s game. In addition, fans are being asked to wear pink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Week and to make donations during the game with all proceeds going to the Breast Cancer Fund.

S.C. State (6-15, 3-7) is seeking its first win on this four-game homestand and trying to avenge a 67-62 loss to Hampton (9-12, 6-4) on Jan. 17.

Following the women’s game, the Bulldogs (10-12, 5-5) look to rebound from Monday’s 10-point loss to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference front-runner Morgan State against Hampton (11-12, 5-5). The two teams are involved in a five-way tie for fourth place in the MEAC standings.

S.C. State is seeking to snap a three-game losing streak to the Pirates dating back to Feb. 24, 2007.

Tickets are $$8 reserve, $5 general admission and $3 for youth 17 and under and visiting college students with proper identification and free for S.C. State students with school ID.

Both games can be heard on WSSB 90.3 FM.

n T&D Senior Sports Writer Thomas Grant Jr. can be reached by e-mail at tgrant@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5547. Discuss this and other stories on-line at TheTandD.com.

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