DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Those 20-point non-conference wins are nice, but games like Saturday's 81-79 overtime scare against Florida College can do more for Bethune-Cookman.

The Wildcats got 22 points from Brandon Tabb and a go-ahead steal and lay-up from Diamante Lewis as they snapped a six-game losing streak with the overtime win at the ICI Center.

Not since the 2007 season opener to Warner Southern had the Wildcats lost a game to a non-Division I opponent. Florida College, a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association, threatened to end that 23-game run by taking a 65-55 lead with 10:05 remaining and a 79-76 lead in overtime on a Zack Brock three-pointer with 2:11 left.

Bethune-Cookman (3-7) held the Falcons (4-9) scoreless the final 5:26 of regulation. In overtime, two Reggie Baker free throws got the Wildcats back to one, then Lewis made his play to put B-CU ahead with 1:01 left.

Tabb hit a free throw to make it a two-point game, then a desperation Eddie Moralbo three-pointer fell short.

It was closer than Head Coach Gravelle Craig would have liked, but the combination of Friday's practice effort and Florida College being within seven of Stetson in the second half last week prepared him for it. The Falcons' 43.9 percent shooting effort and 26 points in transition were reminders that the Wildcats need to continue to work on their defense.

"I'm kind of glad we had a game like this," Craig said. "When we get to the conference, all the games are going to be like this. "You have to execute under pressure, get stops."

Craig did like what he saw down the stretch as the Wildcats' zone defense forced three turnovers and kept the Falcons off the offensive glass when they did get off a shot.

"We played with energy down the stretch," Craig said. "We got to take and say "this is what we're going to do for 40 minutes." 

Lewis, who also hit the two free throws that sent the game into regulation, finished with 16 points as he broke out of a mini-funk – he had scored just 12 points in his last four games.

"This game will get me back going again," said Lewis, who saw action at point guard. "This was a learning experience. We have a lot to work on. We can't win by just showing up.

"On the go-ahead bucket, the ball just fell in the right place and I had an easy lay-up," Lewis added. "Have to give Coach Craig credit, he had just switched defenses."

Forrest, who was 8-13 from the field, had a couple of early dunks as Bethune-Cookman made seven of its first nine shots to take an early 14-5 lead. Florida College worked its way back and managed a 43-41 halftime lead.

NOTES: Tabb reached 20 points for the seventh time this season. With Tabb hit five three-pointers, he takes over sole possession of the national lead for three-pointers per game after UMES' Ryan Adino managed just two against UCF … The Wildcats shot 45.7 percent from the field, their best effort since Trinity (47.9) … Both Tabb (15) and the team (30) jacked up season highs for three-point attempts … Brandon Suggs came up big in OT with all four of his points and three of his season-high seven rebounds…Josue Salaam started his second half consecutive three-pointers … In the crowd was former 'Cat Stanley Elliott, a member of the 2011 MEAC championship and the program's Division I victories leader (73).