Nov. 14, 2007

Final Stats

DeLand, Fla. - Stetson used a strong first half performance to hold off a resilient Bethune-Cookman University squad in women's basketball on Wednesday evening by a score of 62-48 at the Edmunds Center in DeLand, Fla.

B-CU (0-2) led by as many as eight points in the first half as back-to-back three-point baskets by Rosanna Jones and Keturah Newkirk allowed the Wildcats to go on top, 12-4. Stetson (1-2) then used the play of Ayesha Barkley to cut into that lead.

The Hatters used a powerful and fast 13-2 run over the course of the next six minutes to take a three-point lead, 17-14. It was a lead that they would never relinquish the rest of the way on the night.

Kelli Olson's three-point basket with two minutes left in the game put the Hatters up by 10 points at 28-18.

In the second half, the Wildcats made a charge as senior Natasha Ferguson connected on two free throws, as well as Demetria Frank hitting home a lay-up to cut the Hatters lead down to 39-33.

That is as close as B-CU would get, however, as the Stetson lead would swell up to double-digits again as Brittany Carannante connected on a three-pointer--her only one of the night, to put the homestanding Hatters up, 45-33

Stetson's lead increased to as many as 17 (58-41) as Carannante connected on another lay-up, before Traci Fountain fought to keep the `Cats in it with two free throws.

Stetson won the battle of the boards on the night, 42-36, while also turning 21 B-CU turnovers into 18 points.

The biggest story on the night, nonetheless, was the story of bench points. B-CU head coach Francis Simmons has one of the deepest and strongest benches that he has ever had this season, yet the Wildcats were only able to get two (2) points in that capacity. They were hammered in the bench scoring, 32-2.

The strong shooters for the `Cats, some of the best in school history, were limited to just four (4) three-point baskets on 19 attempts. B-CU shot just 32 percent (.327) from the field, while their Volusia County counterparts shot 42 percent (.419).

Stetson was led on the night by Jessica Conner with 11 points and seven rebounds. Sharnesha Smith added nine points for the Hatters.

B-CU used three Wildcat players in double-digits as Rosanna Jones chipped in with 10 of her own.

The Wildcats will be back in action again on Friday, Nov. 16 when they continue their four-game road trek to Jacksonville University for a game slated to begin at 7 p.m. For ticket information, please contact the JU Ticket Office through their official athletic website at www.JUdolphins.com.