TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - -Ricky Johnson scored 12 points and Mario Moody 11 as Bethune-Cookman rallied to defeat Florida A&M 55-54 Saturday afternoon.
Florida A&M, which lost the first meeting 88-56 last month, jumped out to an early 13-0 lead and also led by as many as eight in the second half.
But the Wildcats (11-16, 8-5 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) overcame a 34 percent shooting night and 27 points from FAMU's Malcolm Bernard to defeat the Rattlers (7-19, 3-10) for the fifth consecutive time).
Moody gave Bethune-Cookman a 53-51 lead with a backcourt steal and dunk with 3:36 left, then Johnson, who missed his first threFe free throw attempts but finished by hitting his final eight, sank two to make it 55-51 with 3:04 left.
Bernard hit a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to cut it to one. The Rattlers had the final shot, but Bernard missed and Moody got the rebound.
Josue Salaam and LaRon Smith each scored eight points for B-CU. Moody had eight rebounds and three blocked shots.
The Wildcats held the Rattlers scoreless for a seven minute stretch that eliminated a 17-4 deficit. Two Potts free throws gave the Wildcats a 22-21 lead, then a Smith lay-up made it 24-23 before Florida A&M closed the half with a 5-0 run.
A Moody three-pointer tied the game at 48 with 6:32 left. FAMU took back the lead, but Johnson competed a three-point play that made 51-50.
Bethune-Cookman meets Stetson Monday night.
HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG
"We knew FAMU would be ready for us. We weren't prepared for when they jumped out on us."
"You say FAMU and its gets your attention, You see orange and green in Daytona Beach, you look twice."
"Football rivals play one. Basketball is a different story. You have the second meeting and you have a lot of adjustments."
"Ricky missing three free throws is uncharacteristic of him. Not a good sign. But he's a senior and he regrouped."
MARIO MOODY
"FAMU was scrappy. They were trying to make the small plays."
NOTES: This was the third time Johnson has been the high scorer against FAMU;he finishes his career 6-1 against FAMU...Making his second straight start, Salaam had a career-high six rebounds...B-CU outrebounded FAMU 42-32,marking the fourth time this season the 'Cats havewon the glass by 10 or more..This was the first time B-CU has won this season while being outshot from the field.
