DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -  What began as a slow shooting start for both sides ended in heartbreak for Bethune-Cookman, as late-game free throws were the difference in a 65-64 loss to Texas Southern, Monday night at Moore Gymnasium. 



Bethune-Cookman (14-10, 5-6 SWAC) forced six quick Texas Southern (5-17, 4-7 SWAC) turnovers to start the contest, but a combined 3-11 start from the field for both squads saw B-CU hold just an 8-6 advantage at the first media timeout.

A Karianna Woods free throw gave B-CU a 12-9 advantage as the first quarter concluded.

Kayla White broke nearly three scoreless minutes of play for B-CU with a floater that made it 14-13, Wildcats midway through the second quarter. 

The offensively-challenged first half came to a close as another Woods free throw took the Cats into the half up 24-22, with both teams combining for a 17-56 shooting clip. 

White gave the Wildcats a kickstart after the break with a three ball that made it 29-22, B-CU, leading to a 9-2 B-CU run.

Kayla Clark's layup with three to play in the third gave the Wildcats a brief double-digit at 41-31, but Texas Southern quickly trimmed the deficit back down to five on a Alisa Knight three that made it 45-40. 

A 9-2 run for the Tigers put them down just one before O'Mariyah Tucker's corner three and a White steal and score pushed the Wildcat advantage back up to 52-46.

As the two teams reverted to their first-half offenses, Texas Southern's Nya Harmon drained both free throws to again make things a one-point game with just three minutes to play. A Tigers steal on the ensuing possession led to a three that gave Texas Southern the lead at 58-56 with 2:20 to play. 

D'Shantae Edwards tied things at 58-all with a contested hook shot following a B-CU timeout. Another White steal and score made it 61-58, B-CU. 

The Tigers kept the pressure on with a Jordyn Turner layup to make it 61-60. A missed B-CU bucket at the other end gave Texas Southern a chance to go-ahead with 30 seconds remaining. Out of a timeout, Clark was whistled for a shooting foul, sending Turner to the line to give the Tigers a 62-61 lead with 28 seconds to play. 

At the other end, Woods layup attempted ended up in the hands of the Tigers. 

A D'Shantae Edwards steal went coast-to-coast to give B-CU a 64-63 lead, but an off-ball whistle allowed Jaida Belton to win the game at the line for the Tigers. 

• Kayla White once again led B-CU in scoring with 18 on 7-18 shooting. She also added eight rebounds, three assists, and a team-high five steals.
• D'Shantae Edwards added 15 for B-CU on 5-10 shooting.
• Kayla Clark grabbed a team-high nine boards.
• Texas Southern scored 30 points in the paint to 28 for B-CU.
• B-CU scored 20 points off turnovers, 20 fast break points, and 12 second-chance points. 

   

The Wildcats are back on the road as they return to action on Saturday, Feb. 17 as they travel to Lorman, Miss. to take on Alcorn State. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. EST.

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