Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Mario Moody registered 22 points and nine rebounds as Bethune-Cookman snapped a seven-game losing streak to North Carolina Central with a 69-61 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory Saturday afternoon.
Now winners of four straight, The Wildcats (13-16, 9-5) hadn't beaten the Eagles (11-17,6-8) since the 2012 MEAC tournament quarterfinals.
Moody, a senior, had 18 first-half points as the Wildcats hit eight early three-pointers to stake an early 29-13 lead with 8:08 left in the opening half.
North Carolina Central shot 57.9 percent from the field in the second half and got it to 57-54 on two Patrick Cole free throws with 7:08 left, but the Wildcats scored the next six points to push their lead back to nine.
A Jeremiah Ingram three-point with 1:18 left brought North Carolina Central to 65-51, but Ricky Johnson (15 points) iced the game with four free throws in the final minute.
Jordan Potts added for Bethune-Cookman, while LaRon Smith had 10 points and set B-CU's single-season shot blocking record with his 87th block of the year during the first half.
Ingram led the Eagles with 19, followed Dante Holmes with 17.
HEAD COACH GRAVELLE CRAIG
“North Carolina Central is a tough team. They've lost some players and lost some games this year, but they are headed in right direction. You have to beat them.”
“We wanted to contain Dante Holmes. He's been on a tear, so we went box-and-one to minimize his shot attempts. I didn't want him to get 20 in here.”
“Ricky making those free throws – he's a veteran and he's going to take care of business.”
“I liked that Mario was rebounding, defending and staying in front his guy.”
“We've been on a journey and now we're playing our best basketball at the right time. That's what it's all about”
“We kept our composure and made some big plays and shots when they made their run at us.”
RICKY JOHNSON
“After Monday, I was NOT going to miss those free throws. I felt kind of bad after bad. Had to do it for me”
“We haven't beaten NCCU since my freshman year. After the way they beat us, this was a big win.”
“We showed some growth when we held them off.”
MARIO MOODY
Everything was working Offensive rebounding. Posting up, shooting the ball wall.
We're playing well. We're playing physical and we're playing smart.”
NOTES: Bethune-Cookman remained one game ahead of Savannah State, who upended South Carolina State 76-64, for the fourth seed at the MEAC tournament. The Wildcats can clinch the fourth seed with a win Monday night against North Carolina A&T. A win Monday would also add significance to next Thursday's game with South Carolina State to move up to as high as a second seed.
