EDINBURG, Tex. – The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (1-1) outscored host Texas Rio Grande Valley (1-1) during a back-and-forth second half, 42-41, and Isaiah Bailey posted a 21-point effort in the first road game for BCU this season. The Wildcats fell though, 92-74 Monday night at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
 
BCU shot 23% better in the latter half, and made 16 free throws to keep pace with the Vaqueros. In total, BCU went 26-36 at the charity stripe. Bailey's slashing efforts helped the Wildcats to a 30-18 advantage in points in the paint.
 
Brandon Tabb had a strong effort with 19 points and went 7-8 at the line. Shawntrez Davis' 8 rebounds led the Wildcats.
 
The Wildcats drew first blood on a Maitland lay-up at 19:23, but the Vaqueros answered with a 9-0 run and eventually led 13-5 on a Dan Kimasa layup.
 
BCU rallied with a 9-2 run with a Houston Smith layup at 13:14, but the one-point deficit would be the closest the Wildcats got the hosts for the remainder of the evening. Another nine-point run by the Vaqueros on Moe McDonald's three at 10:07 would help UTRGV ignite its offense.
 
BCU shot just 9-35 in the first half, and was 2-12 from three. Bailey was a perfect 4-4 at the stripe to a lead a 12-14 free-throw effort.
UTRGV used the long-distance connection well, with a 7-13 mark from three in the half.
 
BCU sojourns north in The Lone Star State to square off against North Texas on Thurs., Nov. 16 at 8 p.m. ET. The game can be heard on WELE 1380 The Cat and 1380thecat.com.