PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Ashanti Hunt posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds as Bethune-Cookman extended its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference lead with a 61-33 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Monday evening inside the William P. Hytche Athletic Center.
 
Kailyn Williams added 12 points and eight rebounds as Bethune-Cookman (14-9 overall, 10-1 MEAC) moved to two games ahead of idle Hampton and Norfolk State, both of whom visit Daytona Beach this weekend.
 
"The biggest thing was the defense," said BCU head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis afterwards. "We wanted to make sure we contained their drives to the basket and three-point shooting. Holding them to [2-for-21 from three-point shooting] was gratifying because it shows we paid attention to the scouting report. We really wanted this game."
 
The Wildcats never trailed after scoring the first six points, all while limiting the Hawks (9-13, 3-8 MEAC) to just 18 points through the first 30 minutes of play. BCU led 14-7 after one quarter, and 27-13 at halftime. The Cats' biggest lead was at 58-26 on two Kanesha Battle (eight fourth quarter points) free throws with 2:56 remaining.
 
Hunt, a sophomore from Washington, D.C., was 7-of-13 from the field and 5-of-8 from the foul line, while matching her career-high on the boards.
 
"Defense and offense were going for me tonight," said Hunt. "We followed the game plan – switched when we needed to and talked. The loss at our place stuck with us."
 
This was the Wildcats' fifth consecutive victory, and ended a two-game skid to the homestanding Hawks. It also gave Bethune-Cookman consecutive 10-win seasons in conference play for the first time since 2003 and 2004, respectfully.
 
The Wildcats return to the court Saturday, Feb. 18, when hosting Hampton inside Moore Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
 
NOTES
• This was Ashanti Hunt's second career double-double…
 
• Kailyn Williams has been in double figures four-straight games…
 
• Maryland Eastern Shore's 9.5 percent from three-point range was the lowest for a Wildcats opponent this season. The Hawks shot 22.8 percent (13-57) from the field; the third-lowest behind Savannah State (19.4) and South Carolina State (22.3)…