DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The Wildcats conclude play at Moore Gymnasium this season with two important matchups against Alabama State and Alabama A&M.


What: Game Twenty-Seven
Who: Bethune-Cookman (13-13, 10-3) vs Alabama State (9-17, 6-7)
When: Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. EST
Where: Daytona Beach, Fla. – Moore Gymnasium
 
Watch: SWAC TV
Listen: CatEye Network Radio
Live Stats: Live Stats
 
What: Game Twenty-Eight
Who: Bethune-Cookman vs Alabama A&M (15-11, 8-5)
When: Saturday, Feb. 21, at 5:30 p.m. ET
Where: Daytona Beach, Fla. – Moore Gymnasium
 
Watch: SWAC TV
Listen: CatEye Network Radio
Live Stats: Live Stats


1^st Half
The opening half was back-and-forth from the opening tip, with neither team able to build a lead larger than eight points. Bethune-Cookman struck first with a Quentin Heady layup off a steal, and the Wildcats answered every Jackson State run with aggressive play in the paint.

Rouzan was especially active early, scoring inside and cleaning up offensive rebounds, while Jakobi Heady provided a spark in transition. Jordan Johnson's 3-pointer with 24 seconds left gave Bethune-Cookman a brief 37–36 edge, but Jackson State responded with a buzzer-beating triple to take a 39–37 lead into halftime.

The Wildcats shot 41.4 percent in the opening half and held a 20–16 advantage in points in the paint, but Jackson State's six first-half 3-pointers helped the Tigers maintain a slim advantage.

2nd Half
Bethune-Cookman opened the second half strong, as Rouzan and Morris helped the Wildcats regain the lead at the 15:11 mark following a Rouzan dunk in transition.

The game remained tight throughout the period, with the Wildcats leading 73–71 after another Rouzan layup with 7:25 remaining. However, Jackson State answered with timely shooting from beyond the arc and went on a decisive 10–2 run midway through the half to seize control.

Despite a late push that included free throws from Jakobi Heady and a tip-in at the buzzer by Seneca Willoughby, the Wildcats could not close the gap. Jackson State sealed the game at the line in the final minute.

Bethune-Cookman finished with 52 points in the paint and forced 13 turnovers, but was held to just 3-of-17 shooting from 3-point range, while Jackson State connected on 10 triples and went 27-of-35 from the free-throw line.

Alabama State
The Hornets are 6-7 in conference play but are coming off back-to-back wins against Arkansas - Pine Bluff and Mississippi Valley State at home. Overall, ASU is just 2-4 on the road in the SWAC.

Alabama State is led in scoring by Micah Simpson in conference. The senior guard is scoring 13.8 points per game in the SWAC, narrowing edging teammate Asjon Anderson who is the team's leading scorer overall. Simpson has scored in double-figures in six-straight games.

The Hornets make their mark on the defensive end of the floor, ranking third in the SWAC in points allowed per game. They also rank fourth in blocks per game and second in steals. ASU is not as strong offensively, ranking second-to-last in field goal percentage.

Alabama A&M
The Bulldgos are 8-5 in the SWAC and are currently sporting a three-game winning steak. They completed wins over Grambling State, Mississippi Valley State, and Arkansas - Pine Bluff to move into a four-way tie for second in the league. AAMU is 4-3 on the road in conference play.

Kintavious Dozier currently leads the Bulldogs in scoring, with teammated Koron Davis sitting right behind him. The latter is averaging 17.3 points per game. He is coming off a 20-point outing in their win over the Golden Lions.

The Bulldogs do not standout statistically, profiling as a solid team in most categories. They do a good job of taking care of the basketball and have the second-best free-throw percentage in the league.


With a win in their last matchup, the Wildcats now lead the all-time series with the Hornets 21-20.

B-CU has dominated the series against the Bulldogs, winning 19 of the 28 meetings.


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