BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Brandon Tabb posted 25 points and eight rebounds in Bethune-Cookman's 76-69 loss to Nicholls State Friday afternoon at Samford University in a San Diego Classic game.

The Wildcats (2-4) used a 12-0 run to cut the lead to 70-66 on Tabb's lay-up with 50 seconds remaining.

DeAndre Harris (21 points) sank four free throws and Ja'Dante two to help the Colonels (3-3)  keep the Wildcats at bay in the final minute.

Johnathan Bell scored 13 points, and Jahvuaghn Powell and Stevie Repichowski 12 each as Nicholls State  used an 8-0 run in the final minute of the first half to take a 43-34 halftime lead. The Colonels led by as many as 16 in the second half.

Tabb, a junior, has now scored 20 points or more in the last four games. Reggie Baker finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Quinton Forrest had 10 points and six rebounds.

Tabb's 3-pointer gave B-CU a 7-6 lead early, but Harris helped the Colonels lead by as many as eight. The Wildcats got it to 33-32 on an Ulmer Manzier free throw and 35-34 on a Baker lay-up before Nicholls State closed out the first half. 

Bethune-Cookman, which has played games in each of the continental U.S. time zones in the last seven days, meets Samford Saturday at 8 p.m. EST/7 CST.

HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG

"Today we learned that pressure makes you make decision you normally don't make. That's the first time we've been pressed all year."

"We're not there yet and I know I have to be patient. We have work to do and we know it."

"Quinton and Houston had quality minutes. We have to do some little things better. That's what happens when you have a young team."

NOTES: Forrest has reached double figures in the last two games ... Manzie, all 6-8 of him, dished out four assists, one less than point guard Jeff Altidort's five ... The Cats had a 42-36 rebounding advantage, but managed just five steals and shot just 38 percent from the field.