DURHAM, N.C.– 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.
 
BCU (5-10, 0-1) placed two others in double-figures, with 14 off the bench from Mark Gordon, and 10 from Shawntrez Davis.
 
The Wildcats cut a 14-point deficit in the latter half down to seven on Pope's lay-in at 2:34, but the Eagles made 10 of their last 11 free throws, and 17-24 overall, to seal the contest.
 
BCU started out with strong defense and held the hosts to a miss on each of their first six three-pointers. The 'Cats raced out to a seven-point lead with 13:08 in the first half on one of Gordon's trio of trifectas.
 
NCCU then found its form offensively to gain a 25-22 lead heading into intermission.
 
BCU continues its road swing next weekend with a pair of games. The Wildcats take on Howard (Jan. 12) and Norfolk State (Jan. 14). 
 
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