DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.–Paced by five players in double-figures for the first time this season, Bethune-Cookman handed visiting Norfolk State its first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference loss, 84-76, Saturday night at Historic Moore Gym.
 
BCU (11-13, 6-4) was led by Cletrell Pope's 16^thdouble-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, and Malik Maitland had 18 points and tied a season-best with eight assists. In total, the Wildcats assisted on 18 of 24 made field goals in pushing their win streak to three games.
 
NSU (13-11, 8-1) saw Steven Whitley post a 23-point, 12-rebound double-double and ended a three-game winning edge in the series. 
 
The Wildcats opened the second half on fire by connecting on their first half shots, including four from distance. The lead grew to as much as 18, 48-30, on an Armani Collins three-bomb at 16:36. 
 
The first half saw five lead changes and six ties. BCU connected on its first three attempts from distance with two by Davis and held an 11-4 lead on Houston Smith lay-in at 17:23.
 
NSU slowly mounted a comeback and took its first lead on Mastadi Pitt's free throw at 9:42.
 
The Wildcats closed the first half in dominant fashion with an 11-0 run over the final 4:22. Dondre Duffus sank a floater to beat the buzzer and BCU went into intermission with its largest lead, 33-24. 

Dondre Duffus poured in 14, and Armani Collins rang a season-best 10 off a trio of treys. Pope also tied a season-high with three blocks.

BCU concludes its four-game homestand on Monday, Feb. 11, against Howard. The 2019 NCAA Final Four trophy will be on display, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to view and take a picture with the hardware.
 
Follow Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball on Twitter (@BCUHoops) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUathletics), Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics).