DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.  - A nail-biting opening to Bethune-Cookman's second weekend of SWAC Competition saw a Chanel Wilson buzzer three fall just short as Grambling State held on for a 63-62 win, Saturday afternoon at Moore Gymnasium. 


 
Bethune-Cookman (10-5, 1-1 SWAC) endured a slow start to the contest, turning the ball over five times in the first five minutes of play, keeping things within18-17 with Grambing State (8-6, 2-1 SWAC) after Kerrighan Dunn sunk one of two free throws to close out the first ten minutes of play. Both teams closed the quarter with six turnovers.

The two squads traded buckets in the second quarter with six lead changes heading into the half. The Tigers took their largest lead of the first twenty at 27-23 on a made free throw by Kahia Warmsle

A 13-6 run from that point saw the Cats take tied their largest lead of the contest as Daimoni Dorsey's midrange jumper made it 36-32 with a minute to play in the half. 

Grambling State took the lead once again on a a three ball, B-CU turnover, and an DeMya Young jumper. They headed to the locker room up 39-38. 

Grambling State employed a unique player rotation, featuring thirteen different players in just the first quarter, and twelve before the half. 

The contest remained in a deadlock for much of the third with neither team leading by more than three. The Wildcats re-took the lead at 48-47 - the twelfth lead change of the contest on a pair of Kayla Clark free throws after a tough offensive board with three minutes remaining in the third.

Both teams found themselves tied again at 57 all before Chanelle McDonald and Clark drained consecutive free throws to make it 60-57 with just under six to play. 

Defense took over in the fourth quarter. With four minutes to play, The Wildcats found themselves 1 for their last 10 while Grambling State faced a similar 1 for its last 15, and the score stayed locked at 60-69 at the three-minute mark. 

Grambling State finally broke the stalemate as Anijah Grant grabbed an offensive board and made a pair of free throws for a 61-60 lead. 

A 20th tunover, and third in as many possessions allowed the Tigers to jump up by three on the first made field goal by either team in the fourth - a layup by Grant that made it 63-60.

On the ensuing possession, the Cats cut it to one as a near turnover from Chanel Wilson turned into free throws for McDonald to make it 63-62, Grambling State. 

With 30 seconds remaining in the game and the Tigers with the ball, B-CU forced a Tigers miss. Despite a Grambling State offensive board, a Tiger pass sailed out of bounds, and the Wildcats took over with five seconds to play. 

On the final possesion of the game, a Chanel Wilson stepback three was just short. Clark attempted a putback, but the clock hit zero as the Tigers held on for the win, 63-62.

• Chanelle McDonald led all scorers with 19 on 7-9 shooting.
• Kerrighan Dunn was the only other Wildcat in double figures, she had 10.
• The Wildcats were out-rebounded, 35-31. 
• Kayla Clark D'Shantae Edwards finished with eight, and O'Mariyah Tucker had six.
• The Tigers had 22 points off B-CU turnovers. B-CU had 16.
• The game featued 18 lead changes.

   

Next up for B-CU, they face Southern at home for an MLK Day matchup. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, January 15 at Moore Gymnasium.

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