Feb. 28, 2012

Box Score/ Photo Gallery

By Dan Ryan
B-CUAthletics.com

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.-- Stanley Elliott's legacy at Bethune-Cookman will be his defense. While the senior was one of a Garrius Holloman-led quintet of Wildcats scoring in double figures, Elliott's plays without the ball were a key in Monday's 74-64 victory over Hampton in historic Moore Gymnasium.

Holloman scored 16 as the Wildcats (14-16 overall, 10-4 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) kept the slimmest of hopes alive for a first-round bye in next week's conference tournament. Delaware State lost in bizarre fashion to Morgan State, closing the Wildcats to one game of the Hornets.

If B-CU beats Coppin State in Thursday's finale and DSU loses to South Carolina State, the Wildcats move into third. The Wildcats are also trying to stave off North Carolina Central and Coppin State for the fourth seed, leading both by one game.

With B-CU holding a 60-56 lead, Elliott swatted away a Hampton lay-up attempt. That play and Adrien Coleman diving for a loose ball sparked the Wildcats to keep the Pirates (10-19,6-9) at bay.

"That shot Stanley blocked was the key of the game," said B-CU Coach Gravelle Craig. "It gave us the momentum and we got some stops defensively."

Elliott, the Wildcats' defensive specialist, guarded Hampton's Darrion Pellum much of the second half after he burned for B-CU for 16 in the opening half. Pellum scored just three in the second.

 "Coach had been harping on us to play defense tonight," said Elliott, who finished with 15 points, five rebounds and two blocks.

"All the games are exciting ... we make them exciting," said Craig. "We played with more energy tonight and defended better. If we keep a team to around 62, we have a chance to win."

Holloman's lay-up with 11:49 remaining gave B-CU a 51-50 lead, which the Wildcats built to 60-53 on a Dukes 3-pointer with 9:30 to play.

Another Dukes 3-pointer made it 68-58 with 3:31 left. Hampton never got closer than seven points after that.

The Wildcats used a balanced scoring effort to take a 39-36 halftime lead. Holloman had 10 points on 4-5 shooting from the field, while Adrien Coleman had eight and Javoris Bryant, Elliott and Kevin Dukes five each.

Bethune-Cookman used two quick Bryant lay-ups and an Elliott 3-pointer to jump out to a 7-0 lead. As Hampton got back in the game, both teams scored often in transition and finishing with dunks that amped up the Moore Gym crowd. Danny Aglebelese's dunk gave Hampton its first lead at 22-20 with 10:06 left, but Holloman answered with a slam on the next possession. Anthony Breeze also had a Sportscenter-worthy finish.

Two Pellum free throws put Hampton ahead 32-31 with 4:29 remaining, but Bethune-Cookman went on a 7-0 run en route to the halftime lead.

Coleman finished with 15 and Dukes 13. Holloman was 6-7 from the field and led the Wildcats on the boards with six rebounds.

"It was important for us to get a win tonight after losing to Norfolk State," said Holloman, a senior. "We want to go into the conference tournament strong."

NOTES: B-CU now 10-2 when holding opponents to 64 or under ... Holloman has led the Wildcats in scoring 6 times and rebounding 17 times this season...Elliott's 6 FG were a career-high.