Dec. 8, 2007

Box Score

Columbia, S.C. - Bethune-Cookman University wasted little time in getting down to business on Saturday as they collected their first road win of the season on the strength of a 67-48 win over Benedict College at the B.E. Mayes HRC in Columbia, S.C.

The first half pretty-much told the tale of this one as Bethune-Cookman (2-6) jumped on top with a three-pointer from South Carolina native (Hartsville) Traci Fountain as she blasted in one of her 11 points on the afternoon to kick-off a 7-0 run for the `Cats. Fountain knocked in three of B-CU's nine (9) three-pointers in the contest.

One other of the Wildcats "Palmetto Pals" connection of several South Carolina players on this year's roster--Keturah Newkirk, returned to rare form today as she connected on a season-high four (4) three-pointers. Newkirk, a Charleston native, connected on back-to-back three-point attempts midway through the first half to open up a double-digit lead (18-7) lead for the `Cats that would be relinquished just once in the first half.

With B-CU leading 24-13, Benedict (0-6) guard Nakeechia Davis escaped backdoor for a lay-up on a pass from Utivia Barnes that brought the Tigers back to within 24-15 with six minutes remaining in the first half of play.

However, another strong run by the `Cats ensued to put them up by 20 before the end of the half.

Ashlie Smith with a three-pointer from the elbow.

Davis' three-point basket before the buzzer brought the B-CU lead down to 37-20 at the break.

In the second half, Benedict and Bethune-Cookman went toe-to-toe in a 28-28 tie ... but that was not good enough as B-CU was leading by a substantial amount before that.

The `Cats did, in fact, run their lead out to as many as 25 points twice in the second half. The latest came on a couple of Demetria Frank free throws with 15:50 left in the contest. Frank finished the game with a perfect 8-for-8 shooting performance from the charity stripe for the `Cats.

Benedict was led on the night by Diundra Doughty with 10 points and two steals. Behind her was Nadia Fleming with nine points and five boards. Barnes led all players in the game with 11 boards.

As for B-CU, they were sparked by the sharp-shooting guard play of Keturah Newkirk with 15 points (4-of-6 from three-point land) and four rebounds. Also touching double-digits was Fountain with 11 points and one assist.

The biggest story of the game was B-CU's ability to control the bench points as they got a positive performance from their bench with a 35-12 advantage in that department.

The Wildcats return to the hardwood on Monday night as they continue their South Carolina tour with a date at Claflin on Dec. 10 at 6 p.m. For more information, please locate your internet browser to www.BCCathletics.com, the official home for all 17 Bethune-Cookman University varsity sports.