DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Reggie Baker scored 25 off the bench as Bethune-Cookman downed Kennesaw State 75-72 in its home opener Wednesday night at the Ocean Center.

Kennesaw State (1-2) erased a 45-29 deficit and tied it at 67 on Kendrick Ray's jumper with 2:54 remaining.

Baker scored the next six Wildcat (1-1) points as Bethune-Cookman opened up a 71-67 lead, but saw that slip to one at 73-72 on Aubrey Williams' lay-up with eight seconds to play.

Brandon Tabb (19 points) sank two free throws with seven seconds left to give Bethune-Cookman (1-1) a 75-72 advantage.

In the first half Baker scored 11 consecutive points as the Wildcats turned a 14-12 lead into a 25-14 advantage with 7:20 left. Bethune-Cookman led 32-23 at halftime.

Tabb hit his first three shots to help Bethune-Cookman take an early 8-4 lead in a contest it never trailed.

Two three-pointers from Josue Salaam and a traditional three-point play from Jeffrey Altidort helped the Wildcats take their biggest lead with 16:25 left.

Quinton Forrest led the Wildcats with seven rebounds.

Williams had a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds for the visiting Owls. Johannes Nielsen also scored 15.

Bethune-Cookman completes its two-game "home away from home stand" Friday night against Trinity College in St. Augustine on the campus of Flagler College.

HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG
"I understand it's a process with seven new guys. I was just happy with the effort. I wanted to see the energy and effort at a high. We fed off that We didn't settle for jump shots like we did at St. John's."

"We actually played well in the first half against St. John's before we started settling and got ran out of the gym. Each game is a learning experience."

"It was good to see Brandon and Reggie keep their calm, hit free throws and make plays. Both can score the ball, and I give them the green light to do that.

"I was pleased with the pace and shot selection. We attacked the basket and got to the free throw line. We have to continue get better."

REGGIE BAKER

"It was tough down the stretch. We were battling. We had to get the "W."

"Against St. John's we weren't sharing the ball, we were rushing and forcing shots. Tonight, we locked up on defense and most importantly, had fun."

"Points don't matter. All I care about is the win."

NOTES: B-CU now 28-23 lifetime in the Ocean Center with its first win in the building since a 72-60 decision over North Carolina Central in 2011 – the night the Wildcats clinched their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship … Tabb also scored the first six points at St. John's…Kennesaw State shot 60.6 percent from the field in the second half and 50 percent for the game. Altidort led the Wildcats with six assists.