GAINESVILLE, Fla. – O'Mariyah Tucker scored 16 points off the bench with Chanel Wilson adding 18 as Bethune-Cookman Women's Basketball was tripped up by Florida, 83-69 on Thursday evening inside Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center.
 
Florida (2-0) proved to be too much in the paint with the host Gators outscoring the Wildcats by a 44-24 margin. For the Gators, 14 of those points came off second-chance opportunities with the Gators out-rebounding the Wildcats, 40-32.
 
Bethune-Cookman (0-2) trailed 56-36 with 3:55 remaining in the third quarter following an Aliyah Matharu three-pointer. The Gators guard would finish the night with 25 points to lead all scorers.
 
The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes before the Wildcats embarked upon a late third quarter rally courtesy of an O'Mariyah Tucker three-pointer that pulled BCU to within 59-43 with 55 seconds remaining in the period. Kayla White converted on one-of-two at the foul line, before Chanelle McDonald put in her only points of the stanza to cut the gap at 59-47.
 
The Cats trailed 62-47 at the start of the fourth quarter.
 
A 7-0 run by Bethune-Cookman saw Chanel Wilson hit both free throws in a trip to the foul line, adding an old-fashioned three-point play from D'Shantae Edwards. The Dallastown, Pennsylvania sophomore slashed to the basket and scooped in the layup while drawing the foul from the Gators' Alexia Dizeko. Karianna Woods' steal off the inbounds served as an outlet to Wilson for the driving layup, as the Cats cut into the lead, 66-58 with 6:38 remaining in the fourth quarter.
 
However, the Cats would be held without a field goal for the next five minutes in allowing Florida's combination of Ra Shaya Kyle and Matharu to combine for 14 fourth quarter points in extending the lead back to double-digits and sealing the win.
 
BCU was within 36-29 at halftime with the Wildcats shooting 35.7 percent from the field. The Gators countered with a 15 of 31 shooting performance from the field – adding three (3) three-pointers. The BCU defense forced the Gators into nine first half turnovers.
 
For the game, it was Florida's Matharu sparking her side with 25 points on 11 of 19 shooting from the floor, as well as handing out six assists. Kyle finished the night with her second double-double of the season by pouring in 15 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Kenza Salgues provided 14 points off the bench with a game-high four (4) three-pointers.
 
BCU looked towards Wilson with a team-high 18 points, followed by Tucker with 16 points. Wilson also provided five assists. Woods ended the night with nine points and three assists of her own, all while hauling down seven rebounds.
 
GAME NOTES
Bethune-Cookman falls to 0-9 all-time against Florida… Chanel Wilson has now scored in double-digits in seven of her last eight games dating back to last season… O'Mariyah Tucker missed the second half of the 2022-23 season, but has poured in double-digits in the scoring column in both games this season… The Wildcats recorded 11 steals against the Gators… BCU connected on 23 of 30 shots from the free throw line.
 
UP NEXT
Bethune-Cookman will host Iona on Wednesday, Nov. 15, in what will be the 2023-24 home opener for the Wildcats at Moore Gymnasium. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m.
 
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