March 12, 2009
FINAL 2008-2009 B-CU STATS/SCORES (17-16, overall - Third Place Tie - MEAC)
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Norfolk State Ends B-CU Season In MEAC Quarterfinals - With 63-58 Win
The Spartans of Norfolk State ended B-CU's milestone, first-ever NCAA Division I winning-season, with a 63-58 win in the MEAC Conference Quarterfinals Thursday night.
"Norfolk State won the game and they were the better team tonight," said B-CU Coach Clifford Reed Jr. "We lost our composure at certain parts of the game and had to play extended minutes without C.J. (Reed). The technical on C.J. - he wears his emotions on his sleeve and he has to learn to channel those emotions."
NSU (12-17) led at halftime 29-25, and in the game, the Spartans shot 44 free throws (making 22), in a contest that was foul-filled throughout (B-CU was called for 28 fouls and NSU 20).
C. J. Reed scored 21 points (10 of 14 free throws) to lead B-CU in scoring. Senior John Holmes scored 10 points and had 9 rebounds. Holmes talked about playing without their scoring leader for a period of 5-8 minutes in the second half. "We flow through C.J. on offense," said Holmes. Without him in there we were just trying to do the things to make us successful. We kept fighting and kept playing. The three seniors on the floor - Me and Kevan Creepy, and Tobias (Mahone) - we had to lead the way."
NSU's Corey Lyons led all scorers with 28 points and B-CU held all-MEAC/leading scorer Michael DeLoach to nine points. Reed, Creppy and others all helped out defensively on DeLoach. In the game, B-CU shot only 33.9% (19-56 field goals). NSU was 18-41 (43.9% from the field).
17-16 Season - B-CU's First-Ever NCAA Division I Winning Season - Since Start of Division I play in 1980.
"I love these guys," said Coach Reed of his 2008-2009 Wildcats. "They truly should be commended for the season - they play hard and I am proud of them. Many games during the season - we started three freshman and we hope to build on the accomplishments this year."
