ORLANDO, Fla. - The Wildcats emerge from their holiday break for their fourth game of a five-game road swing, taking on nearby UCF, Friday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m. at Addition Financial Are



Friday, December 29
Opponent:  UCF (8-3, 0-0 Big 12)
Time: 7:00 p.m.. EST
Location: Addition Financial Arena
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: http://statb.us/b/488190
Tickets: https://ucfknights.com/athletics-ticketing-central



A Jakobi Heady buzzer-beater just missed the mark as the Wildcats dropped a one-point contest to Chicago State, Wednesday night at the Jones Convocation Center. 
 
Bethune-Cookman  started hot with five quick points from Dhashon Dyson leading to a 7-3 lead to open the game, forcing a Chicago State (7-9) timeout. 

After nearly two scoreless minutes for both teams, B-CU pulled in front 17-12 midway through the half on a Reggie Ward Jr. layup, their largest lead of the game. 

The Cougars tied the game for the first time since 0-0 at the 10:32 mark on a three from Wesley Cardet that made it 17-all.

From there, the Cougars jumped in front, pulling ahead by as much as three in the half, but a Zion Harmon jumper closed the deficit to just one at 30-29 as the teams hit the half.

A hotly-contested second half that saw seven lead changes saw Chicago State pull ahead by as much as nine with nine minutes remaining on another Cardet three ball. 

The Cougars maintained that lead until the games dying moments, when a Harmon jumper made it a one-point game again with 46 seconds remaining. 

Out of a timeout, the Cougars missed a jumper to give B-CU the ball with 17 seconds to play, but a Heady three just missed the mark, and Chicago State held on for the victory.
 


UCF wraps up non-conference play against the Wildcats boasting an 8-3 record with losses against Miami, Stetson, and Ole Miss. They enter play Friday on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating Florida A&M, 69-56 on Dec. 21.

The Knights are averaging over 76 points per game and allowing 65. They are shooting 43 percent from the field as a team, and 32 percent from three. They have posted a +3.7 turnover margin.

Junior guard Jaylin Sellers leads the Knights, averaging 18.5 points per game while shooting 45 percent from the field. Fifth year Ibrahima Diallo is the team's rebound leader, averaging over six per game.




Bethune-Cookman and UCF will face of Friday for the 28th time, with UCF holding the 20-7 advantage. B-CU has lost 13 straight against UCF, including an 81-45 contest on Dec. 5, 2021 when the teams last met. 

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