DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Tonight marks a first in Bethune-Cookman Basketball history and fans don't want to miss a chance to witness two champions. Both the women's and men's basketball programs host North Carolina A&T State and with victories, can etch their names into the history books.
HOW IT CAN HAPPEN: The Lady Wildcats (22-4, 14-0) clinch the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season title with a victory against the Aggies. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.Â
A&T enters tonight riding a five-game winning streak and is 18-8 overall and 13-1 inside the conference.
The men's squad (17-12, 11-3) enters action with the momentum of a five-game winning edge and with a victory tonight against A&T, will clinch at least a share of the MEAC title. BCU comes into the 7:30 start a game ahead of the Aggies (17-12, 10-4) in the MEAC standings, and a half-game in front of Hampton University (11-4). The Aggies are a very formidable foe and feature MEAC leaders Femi Olujobi (16.8 pts, 7.5 rebs.) and David McGowens (10.3 pts., 5.3 rebs.) and are in the midst of chasing an NCAA record jump in win-total from last season when the Aggies went 3-29.
WHAT IT MEANS: A Lady Wildcat victory tonight assures the program of its third consecutive MEAC regular season championship. It also would be its 15th straight win, remaining undefeated in the conference, and dating back to last season its 25th straight regular season MEAC victory. The Lady Wildcats would clinch the top seed in next week's MEAC tournament in Norfolk, Va.
A Wildcat win assures BCU at least a share of the MEAC regular season title and would be only the second in program history (2011). BCU would need to defeat Florida A&M as well Thursday, Mar. 1, or see Hampton drop its season finale to Norfolk State to claim the outright title. A win also gives BCU its second six-game winning streak of the year, and its 18th victory overall. The 18 wins would tie Ryan Ridder for the most for a rookie BCU Head Coach. The overall win total and 12th conference victory would give BCU its second-highest totals in its Division 1 history.
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TICKETS: Tickets to tonight's action are available on-line, over the phone, and in-person. To purchase online, please click here. To buy over the phone, please dial 386-481-2465. The BCU Box Office is located at 698 W. International Speedway. Tickets start at $5 and only a limited amount remain.Â
HOW TO FOLLOW: Live stats are available on www.BCUathletics.com, and @BCUWBB and @BCUHoops will update on Twitter. Both games will be aired on the CatEye Network. For game links and subscription info, please click here. CatEye Network Student Interns Erick White and Ty McDougale will be on the call for the first game, and "Voice of the Wildcats" Nolan Alexander has the nightcap.Â
MEAC TOURNAMENT: For tickets and information on next week's MEAC tournament, please click here.
UP NEXT: Both teams venture to Tallahassee on Thursday, Mar. 1, to take on Florida A&M.
