Bethune-Cookman University Athletics

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Bethune-Cookman managed a 2-0 set lead but were unable to close it out, as the Tigers came back to beat the Wildcats in five sets at Moore Gymnasium.

After strong offensive outputs in the first two sets, the Wildcats (13-12, 9-6) were held to under .200 hitting in three-straight sets as JSU (14-14, 10-5) made its dramatic turnaround.

Bethune-Cookman made easy work of the Tigers in the first set, going up 7-2 and never trailing the rest of the way.

The Wildcats finished with 17 kills in the set, a game-high for either team.

The second set was close early, but B-CU was eventually able to take control. After JSU cut the deficit to 10-9, the Wildcats would score seven of the next eight to build a seven-point lead, eventually winning the set 25-17.

As a team, the Wildcats hit .407 with just three errors, while holding the tigers to a .154 hitting percentage with seven errors.

Set three began with an early lead for the Wildcats before Jackson State went on a big run. The Tigers scored seven straight to make it 10-6, but B-CU quickly responded with a 4-0 spurt to tie it at 10.

The teams then went back and forth until JSU scored three in a row to go up 20-16. The Wildcats were able to rally to get back within one, but the Tigers scored the final two points they needed to win 25-22 and force a fourth set.

B-CU only had 10 kills in the third set with six errors.

The fourth set was competitive early on, but later, it appeared that the momentum swung in favor of Bethune-Cookman. After the game was tied at 11, the Wildcats scored six of the next eight to generate an 18-15 advantage.

However, the Tigers completely flipped the script and dominated the rest of the way. After an 8-0 run, JSU led 23-18 and were able to close it out on a kill by Shelby Zanders.

Set five was tight the whole way, as neither team led by more than two. The Wildcats were able to take a 15-14 lead thanks to back to back kills by Alaya Rhodes, but the Tigers once again had answers.

With their backs against the wall, Jackson State scored three straight points, including kills by Kyra Dove and Ryleigh Davis, to pull off the stunning comeback win.

Over the final three sets, the Wildcats had just 27 kills with 15 errors, while Jackson State recorded 41 kills and 17 errors.

• Alaya Rhodes was dominant despite the loss, finishing with 23 kills and 17 digs.
• Moriah Johnson had 17 kills and eight digs.
• Kaleigh Williams put up a season-high eight blocks.
• The Wildcats tied their season-high as a team with 15 blocks.