DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Isaiah Bailey scored a season-high 25 points and Joe French 20 as Bethune-Cookman overcame a slow start to defeat Coppin State 85-80 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Saturday in Moore Gym.

The Wildcats (8-9 overall, 2-1 MEAC) misfired on 18 of their first 20 attempts, but managed to take a 30-28 lead on French's jumper with 2:30 remaining. Coppin State (4-14,0-3) briefly regained the lead before BCU used a 9-2 run to close the half.

BCU built a 58-44 lead on Wali Parks' layup with 11:39 left before the Eagles closed to 65-62 on DeJuan Clayton's traditional three-point play with 6:10 left. French hit a three-point to push the lead back to six and Bailey would score nine points down the stretch.

Bailey (10 rebounds) and Cletrell Pope (12 points, 15 rebounds) each double-doubled for the Wildcats. Parks added 12 points. This was Bailey's second double-double of the season.

French, a freshman, was 4-7 from three-point range in his second straight 20-point game.

BCU finished the game outshooting the Eagles 47.1 percent to 45.6 percent from the field.

The Wildcats host Morgan State Monday night.



NOTES: Pope now has 32 career double-doubles … French has been 8-11 from the field in each of the last two games … CSU finished the game with four players … BCU now 4-0 at home this season.