Dec. 23, 2007

Box Score

Las Vegas, Nev. - A late surge was not enough this time as Wofford College withstood Bethune-Cookman University by a count of 70-59 in men's basketball action in the final round of the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

Trailing by nine at the half, Bethune-Cookman (5-7) quickly cut into the lead on jumpers from Kyle Cook and Dewayne Pettus. The Wildcats' Jimmy Hudson also assisted with a three-pointer to put B-CU down just 47-42 with 16 minutes left to play.

Unfortunately, it was three-pointers that hurt the Wildcats all tournament long--especially this afternoon as sharp-shooter Shane Nichols hit four of his game-high six (6) three-pointers during crucial stretches in the second half for the Terriers (7-4).

Wofford finished the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic with a 3-1 record after defeating Texas Southern, Purdue and Bethune-Cookman.

Nichols' three-pointer with less than eight minutes to play put Wofford on top 60-49 before yet another late surge attempt for the Wildcats came on strong.

B-CU defensive specialist Kevan Creppy was inserted into the game by head coach Clifford Reed, Jr. for instant adrenaline. And for Creppy, he did not fail.

The `Cats immediately forced Wofford into three turnovers, while then turning those TOs into points.

Two consecutive lay-ups for John Holmes allowed B-CU to creep back into the game at 60-53 with under seven minutes to go.

That's when Corey Gadzinski hit a three-pointer, as well as three free throws from Nichols to advance the Terriers' lead back out to double-digits (68-55).

B-CU tried to rally once again behind the efforts of Holmes and Dominique Whatley, but it was not enough time left as the Terriers held on for the win.

The Wildcats finished the tournament with a 1-3 overall record with losses to Iowa State, Missouri State and today's setback to Wofford. Their lone win was against UT-Pan American yesterday afternoon.

Wofford was led on the day by Nichols' 23-point outburst, while Gadzinski and Terry Martin each had 10 points, respectively. For the Wildcats, this was their first time allowing an individual to shoot six or more three-pointers in a game since Bobby Brown (Cal State Fullerton) netted 11 of them last year in the Wildcats' west coast road swing.

B-CU was led on the day by Jimmy Hudson (11).

In the loss, the Wildcats did manage to shoot a 52.6 percent from the field for their second-best effort as a team this year from the floor. They also shot 55 percent from three-point land, as well as 77 percent from the foul line. Signs of improvement for the upcoming conference stretch are definitely there for the Clifford Reed coached team from Daytona Beach, Fla.

The `Cats will have a few days off before continuing their road swing in Atlanta, Ga. Against Georgia State on Dec. 29. The game is set for a 7 p.m. tip-off. For more information, please call the B-CU Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206, or visit www.BCCathletics.com.