ATLANTA - The Wildcats picked an opportune time to collect their first win over Alcorn State since 2022, snapping a six-game losing streak against the Braves for a 69-60 win in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Quarterfinals, Thursday night at Gateway Center Arena. 

With the win, the Wildcats now advance to the SWAC Semifinals to take on conference No. 2 seed, Jackson State, on Friday, March 14 at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at SWAC.org. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game live for free at YouTube.com/CatEyeNetwork, or locally on the radio in Daytona Beach at 1380 WELE. 



FIRST HALF

A Kalil Camara three and offensive tip-in for Jesus Carralero Martin gave the Wildcats (17-15, 13-5 SWAC) their first lead over the Braves at any point in a game(11-21, 11-7 SWAC) since 2023 at 7-6. Both defenses continued to dig in as the two squads found themselves tied at just 10-10 through 10 minutes of play in the first half.

Finally the Wildcats found some offensive momentum, with a 14-5 run - connecting on five of their next six shots - to take their then-largest lead at 24-15 with five minutes until the half. 

Alcorn State continued to pester the Wildcats, holding B-CU scoreless in the final four minutes of the half as they pulled to within 24-21 heading into halftime. 

SECOND HALF

After a Michael Pajeaud jumper made it 26-23, B-CU through two minutes in the second half, B-CU ran the lead back up to nine on back-to-back Kalil Camara threes. 

The Wildcats made it a dozen on a Carralero Martin layup off an assist from Daniel Rouzan to make it 36-24 with 14 to go. 

Alcorn made one more big run - a 20-4 rally - to take the lead for the first time in the second half at 44-40 on a Davan Williams three with eight minutes to play. 

B-CU finally found an answer as Seneca Willoughby and Trey Thomas sank back-to-back deep shots to stop the bleeding and go back up 46-44 with six to go.

The Braves tied things up at 46 with five remaining - B-CU did not relinquish the lead from there, with a 16-2 run crushing the Braves' hopes as the Cats went up 62-48 with just a minute remaining.

A Carralero Martin slam put an exclamation point on a 69-60 opening round win.

• Brayon Freeman led the Wildcats in scoring, posting 19 off the bench on 6-12 shooting with three threes and three assists.
• Trey Thomas and Kalil Camara added a dozen each. Trey grabbed eight boards with five assists to seven boards and three assists for Camara.
• Camara also added four steals. 
• Daniel Rouzan blocked three shots. 
• Alcorn State scored 17 points on the fast break to five for B-CU. 
• The Braves scored 44 points in the paint to 28 for B-CU. 

With the win, the Wildcats now advance to the SWAC Semifinals to take on conference No. 2 seed, Jackson State, on Friday, March 14 at 8:30 p.m.

Tickets are available at SWAC.org. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can listen to the game live for free at YouTube.com/CatEyeNetwork, or locally on the radio in Daytona Beach at 1380 WELE. 


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