DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Missed free throws and missed rebounding opportunities really hurt when conference play start.
 
Bethune-Cookman was 3-14 from the line and was outrebounded 54-34 in Saturday' 69-63 loss to Morgan State at the Lemerand Center.

"It's about the third game that free throws have cost us this year," said Head Coach Gravelle Craig. "We started conference play, we have to start hitting free throws and rebound."  

In addition to the free throw and rebounding woes, Morgan State held leading scoring Brandon Tabb to five points on 2-11 shooting. The Bears made sure that one or two guys were consistently pressuring him on and off the ball.

"Teams are going to key on him," said Craig. "He has to learn how to play through it and score different ways, get to the free throw line and get out to transition. He will have to adjust that teams won't let him just get the ball and shoot open shots."
 
To counter Morgan State's size, Craig went small -- guard Quinton Forrest at 6-5 was the tallest starter.    

"We went small real quick to start the game and get out in transition a little bit, then we went right back into big," said Craig.

With forward Ulmer Manzie on the court Forrest moved back to guard and had one of his best performances this season, scoring 15 points and recording four steals.  

Craig gave Manzie  extended minutes and for the most part the redshirt freshman lived up to the expectations. Not only did Manzie score 8 points and grab nine rebounds (four offensive), but he also set solid screens to give  easy scoring opportunities for Reggie Baker, who led B-CU with 18 points.

"He was okay," said Craig of Manzie. "You have to get rebounds at the end of the game; he got rebounds early. With two-three minutes left they got 3 offensive rebounds, ran off a minute and a half, and ended up hitting a three… You have to get the rebounds, no need to talk about Xs and Os."

Perhaps the best sign for Bethune-Cookman was its 13 steals, which led to 24 fast break points, and 21 points of turnovers. For a short period of time, the Wildcats showed that they could be an aggressive defensive team  who has athletic guard running the transition.

Morgan State's Phillip Carr led all scorers with 25 points and 8 rebounds.