CANCUN, Mexico - Bethune-Cookman fell short in the 2024 Cancun Challenge Mayan Bracket Championship as they dropped a 79-64 contest to Gardner-Webb, Wednesday afternoon at the Hard Rock Cancun. 



Bethune-Cookman (2-5) got off to a scorching start, racing out to an 11-1 lead thanks to threes by Trey Thomas and Brayon Freeman.

Gardner-Webb (4-3) flipped the switch from there, answering with an 11-1 run of its own and continuing the barrage to go in front 25-17 before Reggie Ward Jr. stopped the bleeding with a layup.

With four minutes remaining in the first half, Anthony Selden drained a three to put the Bulldogs up 11. After nearly three scoreless minutes, the Bulldogs added five more unanswered to enter the break up, 43-28. 

Gardner-Webb's largest lead of the afternoon came with 18 to play in the game as Selden's layup put the Bulldogs up 18. 

The Cats kept things close, cutting the lead to 10 on a Jesus Carralero Martin three ball to make it 57-47 with 11 to play. Daniel Rouzan again made it a 10 point game with seven to play on a fastbreak layup. 

The Cats brought it down to single digits for the first time in the second half on a tip-in from Kalil Camara, but Gardner-Webb pushed the lead up to as much as 19 on the way to the 79-64 win. 

• Reggie Ward and Daniel Rouzan led the way for B-CU on offense, scoring 14 a piece.
• Ward posted a double-double, adding 11 rebounds and a steal.
• Trey Thomas and Brayon Freeman also scored in double-figures with 13 and 10-respectively. 
• B-CU shot just 35 percent from the field and 22 percent from three in the game.
• B-CU made 11-20 shots from the free throw line. 
• 36 B-CU points came in the pent

B-CU will enjoy their Thanksgiving holiday before heading to Minnesota on Sunday, Dec. 1 to face the Golden Gophers out of the Big 10 on Sunday, Dec. 1. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. EST.


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