Daytona Beach, Fla. – Joe French put together his second 30-point effort of the season, but a slow start doomed the Wildcats against Grambling State, Saturday night at Moore Gymnasium.
 
How It Happened
 
A slow start for the Wildcats (3-11, 1-1 SWAC) proved to be the difference Saturday night. B-CU shot only 28.6 percent from the field in the first half. In a matter of four minutes, the game turned from tied at 14 midway through the half into a nine-point Grambling State (4-11, 2-1 SWAC) lead. The Wildcats settled things down to close out the half down 34-26.
 
For Wildcats head coach Reggie Theus, the first half came down to the wrong focus:
 
"I thought they were thinking too much offense early in the game," Theus said. "Our guys have to remember that we have to grind it out on the defensive end. We took way too many perimeter shots… that's not who we are. They figured it out in the second half."
 
Bethune-Cookman came out for the second half reenergized – a layup from Dylan Robertson and a pair of quick threes from Joe French turned an eight-point deficit into a Wildcat lead.
 
After a back-and-forth for much of the second half, Grambling State began to pull away with a 7-0 run midway through the frame. With two minutes left in the game, the Tigers led by 11, but the Wildcats did not quit.
 
Nine straight points from Joe French in just over a minute cut the deficit to just three. Robertson hit a short jumper and French hit a pair of free throws and the game was tied with only 23 seconds remaining. Then, just as quickly as the lead vanished, Grambling State took it right back on a turnaround jumper from Tra'Micheal Moton to scrape by with the 68-66 victory.
 
French led all scorers with 31 points, a new career-high. He connected on nine of 15 field goals, including five of eight threes. French made eight of nine free throws and dished out a pair of assists.
 
"Joe did what he's supposed to do," Theus said. "That's what I expect from Joe. He can catch fire at any time. If we came out with that same fire in the first half we would have had different results tonight for sure."
 
 
Game Notes

• After missing the last few games, Dylan Robertson returned to score 16 points, grab 11 rebounds, and block four shots.
• Kevin Davis led the Wildcats with 15 rebounds. He scored 11.
• Marcus Garrett finished with eight assists in the game.
• Tra'Michael Moton led the Tigers with 25 points.
• The Wildcats put up 17 second-chance points in the game.
• All but two of B-CU's points came from the starting unit.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats return Moore Gymnasium this Monday, Jan. 10 when they take on SWAC-leading Southern University at 7:30 p.m.
 
 
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