WASHINGTON, D.C.– Mark Gordon scored early and often, and Wali Parks sored nine of his 10 points in the final two minutes to lead Bethune-Cookman over host Howard, 71-63, at Burr Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. Gordon hit his first five trifectas en route to a season-best 22 points, and forward Cletrell Pope registered his ninth double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds.  
 
BCU (6-10, 1-1) earned its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference win of the campaign by holding Preseason Player of the Year R.J. Cole to 5-13 shooting and 0-4 from distance. HU (7-10, 1-2) made only 22 of its 72 attempts (30.6%) and went 4-18 from three.
 
The Bison erased a 10-point deficit in the latter half on a Chad Lott jumper with 2:51 remaining but lost the lead for good when Parks took off.
 
His first of nine-straight began with a feed from Leon Redd and two-handed jam to take a 62-61 lead with 2:01 to go. On the next possession, Shawntrez Davis assisted on his lay-in. With just 28 seconds left, Redd found the junior transfer open in the right corner to pocket a three. The Iowa City native then sealed the game for a 69-61 lead with two made free throws on the ensuing possession.
 
The Wildcats trailed in the first half, 22-16, at the media timeout with 7:51 remaining before Davis, who collected a season-high nine rebounds and also poured in nine points off the bench, started a 20-8 run to close the half. After Davis' lay-in, Gordon, Redd, and then the Atlanta product Davis hit consecutive three-pointers. 
 
Gordon led BCU with three steals. Redd and Davis led the 'Cats with four assists apiece, and the Wildcats helped on 14 of 26 field goals. BCU has now won the last three in the series, and won at Burr Gym for the first time since Feb. 13, 2012. 
 
BCU concludes its road swing on Monday with a 7:30 start at Norfolk State. 
 
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