Jan. 18, 2010
Final Stats Updated 18-Game B-CU Stats (11-7, 4-1, MEAC)
Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -
Home Win Puts B-CU record at 11-7, 4-1, MEAC
Daytona Beach, Florida -
Maryland-Eastern Shore came to play Monday on Martin Luther King Day in Daytona Beach. UMES jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first nine minutes and led by as many as 13 points in the first half (26-13) with 4:12 to play.
C. J. Reed sparked the B-CU offense in the final four minutes of the half and the Wildcats closed to within 28-24 at the intermission. Reed scored 13 points in the first half keying an 11-2 scoring run to end the first half.
Junior center Albert Abrahams led the Bethune-Cookman second half comeback scoring 12 of his 18 points, 10 rebounds double-double to key the conference home win over the Hawks. B-CU out-scored UMES 39-23 in the second half and two big stick-backs by Abrahams and a three-point play inside gave the 'Cats a seven point cushion (48-41) with nine minutes to play.
"He is a difference maker, Albert (Abrahams) is a game-changer," said B-CU Head Coach Cliff Reed. "Other than C. J. (Reed) teams should have to scheme and take away his inside play. And the way he played today is what we need from him for us to be successful."
Quick Start By UMES Hawks - Lead 13-2 After Nine Minutes Of First Half
"We were very fortunate to only be down four at halftime. We came out lethargic and C. J. got us going and sparked us offensively. We got the transition game going and played better defense and rebounded the ball. They (UMES) are a good rebounding team and we were plus 11 (41-30) rebound edge, +14 in the second half," said Reed.
UMES (4-13, 2-2, MEAC) had balanced scoring and were led with Sean Berry's 13 points and 8 rebounds. The Hawks used 12 players and nine of them scored points in the ball game.
"We had momemtum from the end of the first half and came out aggressive in the second half," said Reed. The game featured intense defense throughout and both teams shot under 40%, UMES (15-44, .341%) and B-CU (21-57, .368%).
C. J. Reed led all scorers with 21 points. He hit 10-11 free throws and registered 3 assists and 2 steals in 38 minutes played. Freshman Javoris Bryant played 13 minutes including key points (4 points, 3 rebounds) in crunch time in the second half.
Nine of Next 14 Wildcats' MEAC Games On The Road
The five-game B-CU MEAC home stand is complete (4-1) and the Wildcats play on the road Saturday at Hampton University and next Monday in Washington, D. C. at Howard University. Nine of the final 14 MEAC regular season games will be on the road for the Cage 'Cats.
"I am happy with where we are as a team. We worked very hard (in practice) after Saturday's game (loss to Delaware State) and in today's shoot-a-round we went hard. We need to continue to play good defense and rebound well. The offense comes and goes but defense and rebounding has to be there for us. We have been playing well on the road." said Coach Reed.
See 18-game B-CU updated stats and view All-Access videos and Coach Reed and player interviews on www.b-cuathletics.com
- GO CATS -
