Game Notes
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Bethune-Cookman University men's basketball remains away from home with a pair of games against Howard and Norfolk State. The Wildcats take on the Bison on Saturday, Jan. 12 at 4 p.m., and finish a five-game road swing against the Spartans at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 14. The action can be heard on WELE 1380 The CAT with
Nolan Alexander on the call. Live stats and video links are available on
www.bcuathletics.com.
Starting Five
1 Bethune-Cookman continues a daunting start to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play with road games at Howard and Norfolk State. The preseason favorites, BCU starts play on the road against teams slotted 2-4
2 In last season's thriller, the Wildcats edged the Bison in OT, 92-87. BCU erased a 10-point second half defifit and tied the game with only one second remaining on a Soufi Diakite-to-Shawntrez Davis fastbreak alley-oop. It will be Ryan Ridder's first trip to Burr Gym. Last year's game was moved to nearby Trinity University
3 BCU is in the midst of five-straight and eight of nine away from Moore Gym. The Wildcats will total 17,926 miles this season that has included trips from California to Boston
4 Cletrell Pope continues to assert himself. Following his 20-rebound, 15-point barrage at NCCU, he paces the MEAC with his 174 total boards (8th NCAA), 7.40 defensive rebound average, 4.20 offensive rebounds (1st NCAA), 11.6 rebounding average (6th NCAA), and eight double-doubles
5 The 'Cats lead the MEAC in defensive rebounding average (27.8), rebounding average (40.93), and 3pt defense (30.2%). BCU is second in rebound margin (+2.9), offensive boards (13.1), & FG defense (42.1%)
Previously
Cletrell Pope had another monster game with 15 points and a season-high 20 rebounds, but Bethune-Cookman was bested by host North Carolina Central, 68-59, at McDougald-McLendon Arena Saturday afternoon.
In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener for both programs, NCCU (6-9, 1-0) rode a 14-23 (60.9%) showing in the second half to pull away from a three-point halftime lead.
Last Time vs. HU (1/6/18):
For the first time this season (2017-18), Bethune-Cookman men's basketball came from behind on the the road and erased a 10-point second half deficit to defeat Howard, 92-87, in overtime at Clayden Arena on the campus of Trinity University. In a game that was moved from Howard's (3-15, 0-2) campus due to infrastructure damage, Soufiyane Diakite led BCU with a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds.
The Wildcats forced overtime when Diakite lobbed to Shawntrez Davis on the fast break and the junior scored a no-look behind-the-back alley oop off the glass with one second remaining. Davis was fouled on the play but missed the go-ahead free throw and the teams were deadlocked at 82.
NSU (2/5/18):
Shawntrez Davis set new career-highs with 30 points and 17 rebounds, but Bethune-Cookman dropped a tough 83-79 decision to Norfolk State at Historic Moore Gymnasium. BCU nearly erased a pair of nine-point second-half deficits, but Brandon Tabb's fadeaway three from the deep right wing was off and NSU moved its win streak to four games.
Coming Soon
BCU hosts its first home game of 2019 when the Wildcats welcome Delaware State (Jan. 19) and UMES (Jan. 21). Tickets are available here.
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