Jan. 30, 2010

Final Stats   Updated 21-game B-CU Stats (12-9, 5-3 MEAC)

Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 -

Daytona Beach, Florida -

South Carolina State used a 23-9 scoring run over a 11 minute span in the second half to come back and beat Bethune-Cookman at Moore Gymnasium 58-55.

B-CU (12-9, 5-3) led by as many as 11 points (29-18) in the first half and took a 32-26 lead into the locker room at halftime. SCSU (10-8, 4-3 MEAC) hit 5 of 6 three-pointers in the second half to fuel its come back win. Balanced SCSU scoring with three players scoring in double figures - Tyvon Williams 13, Jason Flagler 10, Carrio Bennett 10 led the Bulldogs to victory (6 straight wins vs. B-CU dating back to 2007-2008 season).

"We didn't take care of home tonight," said B-CU Head Coach Cliff Reed. "They (SCSU) took the game, we didn't lose it. Their zone after the opening didn't allow to get the ball inside and they played more zone than I thought they would - and they played it most of the game. And we missed too many free throws (12-21 in the game) to beat anybody." 

Freshman C. J. Reed scored 10 points in the first half and Albert Abrahams hit 4-6 field goals for 9 points in the first 20 minutes. The Wildcats shot 13-25 FGs (52 %) in the half and led 32-26.

"Javoris (Bryant) can really score the basketball and he gives us the spark offensively we need.  He will get playing time as he is playing his role and contributing (12 points, 4 rebounds)." Bryant and three other Wildcats (Abrahams 15, Reed 14, Dukes 11) scored in double figures.

The Bulldogs hit tough shots in the final five minutes to preserve the road win. South Carolina State led for the first time in the game at  45-44 on a Flager lane jumper with 8:03 to play in the contest. The SCSU zone limited the Wildcats to only two three-point field goals over a nine minute span in the second half to go up by six points (50-44 with 6:35 to play).  B-CU shot only 26 % (6-23 FGs) in the second half.

B-CU closed to within one point down at 56-55 on a steal and layup by freshman Kevin Dukes with 2:11 to play. Both teams had turnovers and missed shots -one a key offensive interference call on B-CU nullifying a Wildcats basket - in the next 2 minutes setting up the final possessions.

  SCSU's Khalif Toombs hit a tough shot in the lane with 18 seconds left for the 58-55 lead.  C. J. Reed had a long contested three-pointer with four seconds left that missed and B-CU had to foul in the final seconds and the Bulldogs missed the 1-1 free throw with 1.9 seconds left.  Dukes had a half court three-point desperation try with 0.9 seconds left that missed and the Bulldogs hung on with the three-point triumph.

MONDAY GAMES AT OCEAN CENTER

B-CU next hosts Winston-Salem State at the Ocean Center, 7:30 p.m. start Monday night February 1. The women's game is set for 5:30. The game is designated GREEK NIGHT for B-CU and there will be student vans/buses transportation from campus to the Ocean Center.

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