DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  – Trailing by as much as 18, the Wildcats nearly staged a massive comeback against the defending SWAC champions, but fell just short against Texas Southern, 66-63, Monday night at Moore Gymnasium
 
How It Happened
 
The Wildcats (6-17, 4-7 SWAC) made only six of 22 shots in the first half, and only one of six three-pointers. B-CU kept things as close as 23-16, but Texas Southern (10-10, 8-3 SWAC) finished the half on a 17-6 run to lead, 40-22, at the break.
 
The Wildcats came out with more energy after the break, trimming the Tigers' lead down to ten on a Kevin Davis three at 10:30 remaining in the game.
 
Five minutes later, a Joe French three capped a 9-2 Wildcat run to bring B-CU within only four. After a back-and-fourth three minutes, another Davis three made it a one score game with two minutes remaining.
 
The Wildcats had chances to tie and go ahead in the final minute. After a pair of missed free throws by the Tigers, a buzzer-beating three from Marcus Garrett fell short, and the Wildcats fell, 66-63.
 
Davis led the Wildcats with 23 points. French followed with 14 and Garrett finished with 11. Davis also added 11 rebounds and Garret finished with nine. Jakolby Long finished with four assists, and Damani McEntire came up with four steals.
 
"At the half, it didn't look like our guys had enough fight in them," Wildcats head coach Reggie Theus said postgame. "They came back in the second half and improved it. That's who they are. There's no quit in them."
 
The Wildcats have their work cut out for them as the SWAC tournament approaches, but for Theus, motivation will not be a problem.
 
"The fun is in the hard work," Theus said. "If we play hard like that, we will have an opportunity to win every night, and that's enough motivation."
 
Notes

• B-CU scored 21 points off of 22 Tigers' turnovers.
• The Wildcats were out-rebounded, 45-22 in the game.
• After shooting 27 percent from the field in the first half, the Wildcats shot over 50 percent after the break, including 7-15 from deep.
• Davis scored his 23 points on 8-16 shooting, including 4-8 from three.

 
Up Next
The Wildcats will prepare this week for a road trip to Mississippi. B-CU will take on Alcorn State on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 4 p.m. They will then take on Jackson State the following Monday.
 
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