Feb. 25, 2012
Box Score
By Dean Watson
B-CU Athletics.com
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman's four seniors combined for 76 points and led the Wildcats to an 83-73 win over Norfolk State Saturday afternoon in the historic Moore Gymnasium.
It was the home team's third consecutive victory and the fourth in the last five games. B-CU is now 9-16 overall and 6-7 in MEAC play with the conference tournament just over a week away.
The senior trio of Demetria Frank, Jasmine Elum and Jalisa Isaac led the offensive charge for the Wildcats. Frank put up a season-high 25 points and tied for the team-high of five rebounds. She also picked up eight steals which ties her for 6th all-time on the Wildcats' single-game list (she has two games with nine).
Elum posted a career-high 24 points including four 3-pointers, and Isaac scored a season-high 19. B-CU's fourth senior Cleniece Roberts added eight points and equaled Frank under the glass with five rebounds.
"Winning three in a row feels great", said Frank. "I am happy that the winning is here and it is coming at a great time of the season."
As a team the Wildcats shot 50 percent (30-for-60) from the field and 35 percent (7-for-20) from 3-point territory. They outscored NSU 30-24 in the paint and 20-12 off of turnovers.
Offensively Norfolk State (10-14, 5-8) was led by Whitney Long with 32 points, Batavia Owens added 13 along with 13 rebounds.
"Today was about the seniors", said B-CU head coach Vanessa Blair. "Before the game we told each player to remember back to their senior year in high school and keep that tradition alive here today. They need to stand on the shoulders of those who came before them and when this season is over those who follow will stand on their shoulders."
After pushing ahead midway through the first half Bethune-Cookman never relinquished the lead. Norfolk State was able to get back to within three after a Recca Trice hoop at 17:59 but that was as close as the Lady Spartans would come.
The Wildcats went on a 15-6 run and pushed the lead to 12 after a jumper by Elum at 12:31. Six and a half minutes later a 3-pointer by Elum gave B-CU its largest lead of the game at 72-54. NSU was not able to reduce the deficit below double digits for the remainder of the game.
Elum finished 8-of-17 from the field, shot 4-for-8 from beyond the arc and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line.
"The outside shot felt good tonight. As a team we were just having fun out there today", said Elum.
The Wildcats went into the lockerroom with a 32-26 halftime lead. Frank had 10 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. After falling behind by as many as five points and trailing 14-12 with 9:21 remaining, Bethune-Cookman went on a 20-9 run to take a nine-point advantage.
A three-pointer by NSU's Whitney Long reduced the Lady Spartans' deficit to six points at the break. Long equalled Frank's 10-point scoring effort in the first half. Batavia Owens led all players under the glass with 12 boards.
Next up the Wildcats will host Hampton University on Monday, February 27 at 5:30 p.m. followed by the regular season finale at home against Coppin State on Thursday, March 1 at 5:30 p.m.
Follow Wildcats Basketball and Bethune-Cookman Athletics on Twitter: @BCUAthletics and on Facebook: Bethune-Cookman Athletics
