NORFOLK, Va. - Brandon Tabb and Shawntrez Davis each netted 18 but Steven Whitley hit a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer as Norfolk State edged Bethune-Cookman, 71-70, Saturday night at Echols Hall. The Wildcats (11-10, 5-1) fell one win short of owning the program's best start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play, while NSU (5-16, 3-3) remained unbeaten at home in conference action. 

Free throws were critical in the late stages of the game. BCU trailed, 67-66, with 47 seconds remaining when Alex Long was whistled for a foul following a Whitley field goal. Isaiah Bailey converted both attempts to swing the lead in favor of the Wildcats. On the next possession, Bailey's foul on Preston Bengei led to two made free tosses and a 69-68 Spartan lead with 17 seconds to go.

Following a timeout, Tabb drew a foul from Alex Long and converted both opportunities for a 70-69 Wildcat lead with eight seconds remaining before NSU's buzzer-beating shot. 

Soufiyane Diakite earned his seventh double-double with a season-high 17 rebounds and 11 points. The Wildcats held the Spartans to 32.9% shooting (24-73), but shot just 34.9% (24-63) themselves. 

BCU got off to a slow second half start and did not score until a Davis free throw at 16:08. Norfolk State tied, then took the lead, 43-42, on a pair of Nic Thomas free throws at 12:14 to begin a back-and-forth battle of lead changes to wind down regulation. In total, there were eight ties and 19 lead changes. 

BCU went on a 7-0 sprint to grab a 60-54 lead with 5:48 to go following a pair of Isaiah Bailey free throws. However, the Spartans raced back with a 8-0 spurt to take a 62-60 lead on a Whitley and-one. 

The first half was tight throughout, but BCU always seemed to own a slight edge. Tabb made his presence known early with a pair of triples as BCU took an early 6-2 lead in just over a minute of action. 

After a pair of ties, the Wildcats went on a 6-0 run with points at the stripe. Malik Maitland connected on both of his attempts, while Bailey and Davis each made one and BCU owned a 15-9 lead with 14:02 remaining. 

Norfolk State took a brief lead, 18-17, when Kyle Williams found Alex Long at 7:33. It would be the last lead of the half for the hosts as BCU closed the half on a 9-3 run with 5 late points by Davis and a lay-in and a pair of Maitland free throws.

The Wildcats end their long road swing with a Monday (Jan. 29) night tilt at Hampton. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.