DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - An incredible back-and-forth saw Bethune-Cookman erase a 14-point lead to down the Southern Jaguars, 83-81 in overtime, Monday night at Moore Gymnasium.

In the win, Damani McEntire surpassed Michael Williams in career steals with 175. 



Southern (9-8, 3-1 SWAC) wasted no time offensively, jumping out to a 7-0 lead thanks to two Bethune-Cookman (7-9, 2-1 SWAC) turnovers. Dhashon Dyson stopped the bleeding with three straight buckets that made it 9-7, Jaguars.  

Southern battled back with eight straight to push their lead back up to nine with 13 minutes remaining in the half.

Derrick Carter-Hollinger Jr. downed a tough contested layup plus the foul to pull B-CU to within 18-21.

With his steal at the 9:07 mark McEntire reached a B-CU career mark of 175. The SWAC's best defender surpasses Michael Williams' 174 career mark to set a new program record as a Wildcat. McEntire also had 30 steals in his time at Southern Utah, bringing his total career mark to 205.

Dyson's tenth point of the contest made it a four-point game again at 35-31, Southern as the two teams hit the under-four media.

The Wildcats entered the half with a bang as Jakobi Heady beat the buzzer with a desperation three from the "Coach Cy Court" sign to close the deficit to 41-36 at the break.

Southern took its then-largest lead of the game. 53-41 at the 13 minute mark after two scoreless minutes for B-CU.

B-CU trimmed the deficit to 10 on a pair of Heady free throws, but a quick Tai'Reon Joseph made it 64-51 with just under eight minutes to play. 

Another set of free throws, this time for Reggie Ward Jr., made it a single-digit game at 64-56 with six minutes remaining, but free throws on the other end moved the Jaguars in front double figures again. 

The Wildcats refused to go away, as Heady's putback made it 68-63 with three minutes remaining. Huge buckets from Heady and Ward knotted things at 69-69 with just under a minute to play. 

B-CU had a chance to take a lead with 23.8 remaining, but Dhashon Dyson's contested layup was no good, and the Wildcats were forced to foul, facing a 71-69 deficit.

That didn't stop Dhashon Dyson, who drilled a tough fadeaway floater to tie things at 71 and send the game to OT.

Southern made it a two-possession game with two-and-a-half to play in OT on a Brandon Davis layup that made it 78-73, but DJ Carter-Hollinger Jr. answered with a layup of his own to make it a three-point game once again. 

Up 80-77, Southern committed a turnover and foul, sending Heady to the line with 1:10 remaining. The forward drained one of two to make it a two-point game. 

Another three ball made it 81-78, Southern, but Heady's clutch triple made it 81-81. Heady's heroics continued a possession later, as his 2-2 trip to the free throw line pushed B-CU ahead 83-81.

With 7.1 seconds remaining, Southern pushed the ball down the court. Derrick Tezeno's three missed, but a whistle sounded as was whistled for a four, sending Davis to the line for two free throws. 

Davis's first free throw clanged off iron. The Jaguars attempted a circus-shot, but Elijah Hulsewe grabbed the board, and B-CU held on for the victory.

• Jakobi Heady and Dhashon Dyson each scored 19 for B-CU. Both also posted five rebounds. Dyson added five assists.
• Reggie Ward added 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
• DJ Carter-Hollinger added 14 points on 4-4 shooting.
• B-CU made 28-36 free throws. Southern made 28-19.
• B-CU outrebounded Southern, 36-24. 

   

The Wildcats will hit the road to Itta Bena for their first SWAC road trip of the season as they are set to face Mississippi Valley State on Saturday, Jan. 20. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. EST 

Follow Bethune-Cookman Men's Basketball on Twitter (@BCUHoops) and Instagram (@BCU_Hoops) for all of the latest news and updates. For all Bethune-Cookman Athletics news, follow us on Twitter (@BCUAthletics), Instagram (@BCU_Athletics) and BCUathletics.com.