NORFOLK, Va. - The eighth-seeded Bethune-Cookman Lady Wildcats (12-16, 7-9 MEAC) join the hunt for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championship trophy on Tuesday (March 12), as they take on ninth-seeded Delaware State (9-20, 6-10), 11 a.m. at Norfolk's Scope Arena in the 2013 MEAC Basketball Championships opening round.

Tuesday's contest marks a postseason rematch date for the Lady Wildcats and Lady Hornets, who met January 26 at historic Richard V. Gymnasium, ending in a heartbreaking loss for the Lady Wildcats in the lone overtime tilt of the season, falling short after making two comebacks to force the extra period.

Notes About the Delaware State Lady Hornets (9-20, 6-10 MEAC)

The Lady Hornets are led by sophomore forward Tierra Hawkins, an All-MEAC Second Team selection, ranked in the top eight in the MEAC in four major categories during the 2012-13 regular season. She averages 17.3 PPG on a league second-best .511 shooting and grabs 7.4 RPG. She collected 12 points and eight rebounds in the last meeting.

Junior guard Tasia Bristow chips in 12.1 PPG and 2.0 SPG, while guard Deanna Harmon puts up 7.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.4 SPG.

DSU spreads the ball around, averaging 10.6 APG, but also turns the ball over frequently, surrendering 20 TPG.

Notes About the Lady Wildcats (12-16, 7-9 MEAC)

The Lady Wildcats have worked to balance the strong defensive containment that has become a program staple against shortfalls on the offensive end over the past few games. B-CU scores an average of 54.4 PPG as a team, while limiting their opponents to 57, spending the majority of the year holding opponents beneath 55. Of the 28 games on the year, only three opponents have surpassed the 70-point mark.

With Amanda Hairston out of action due to a season-ending injury prior to the Norfolk State game, the offensive focus with remain with Chastity René Taylor, who averages 13.8 PPG and scored 18 in the first go-around between these teams. The first-year junior guard has led the Lady Wildcats in scoring 15 times and put up double-figures in 21 games this season as a fixture in the starting rotation.

The Lady Wildcats have several weapons that can be huge contributors if on their game. Forward Terrenisha Hollis can take over a game, earning three of B-CU's double-double games on the campaign. Hollis averages 8.1 PPG and 5.3 RPG, while also leading the team in takeaways with 2.0 SPG.

Meanwhile, point guard Shakeyia Colyer averages 6.9 PPG and 4.3 RPG and Jasmine Evans puts up 5.1 PPG and 3.5 RPG.

The victor of the matchup will take on the league-leading Hampton Lady Pirates in the second round, Wednesday at noon.

During the Game

Live Stats: MEAC Media Relations will provide live statistics during the game at this Link.

Live Video: The MEAC will also provide live streaming video of the contest at this Link.

Radio/Audio: The CatEye Network will broadcast the game on WELE 1380 in its entirety on delay, beginning at 12 p.m. You can listen online at this Link.

Game Day Hashtags: For all of our followers on Twitter, the official game day hashtags include the following...

#HailWildcats

#BeatDSU

For all the latest information on the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, follow the official Twitter feed, @BCUathletics, or "Like Us" on Facebook at Bethune-Cookman Athletics.

-B-CUathletics.com-