Dec. 10, 2007

Box Score

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman University found a way to fight back and win on Monday night with a 65-51 victory over visiting Southeastern University in men's basketball action inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla.

B-CU (4-4) was without the services of top scorer Jimmy Hudson tonight who is suffering from an ankle sprain. So, B-CU sixth-year head coach Clifford Reed, Jr. looked towards his bench for quality minutes all-around.

The game, literally, became a team effort for the Wildcats. It may-well have been the `Cats best TEAM EFFORT all season long.

Trailing by two at the half, 30-28, B-CU had to rally behind an 11-2 run to start the second half. That was because B-CU's competitor, SEU (7-5) from the NAIA ranks proved to be as worthy as advertised.

John Holmes' back-to-back free throws started the run that put the Wildcats out in front at 39-30--following another jumper from Holmes.

Holmes would finish with a game-high 14 points, but 11 of those coming in the second half. He was saddled with foul trouble for almost the entire first half of play.

B-CU extended the lead out to double-digits at 45-35 with a Dewayne Pettus lay-up with 14:29 remaining in the game.

SEU did stay around the 8-to-10 point margin with the help of Sterling Brown and Nathan Marshall.

But in the end, there was too much inside play for the Fire as Holmes stepped to the line 10 time son the night as he was double teamed on the inside most of the night. That, however, opened up the outside shots for Dominique Whatley and Jordan Carrier.

Carrier, playing sparingly in the past three games, stepped right into the lineup tonight and connected on both of his shots, including a long-range three-pointer.

SEU was led on the night by Brown with 10 points, as well as Anthony Turner who finished just behind him with nine points and three rebounds.

B-CU was topped by Holmes' 14-point, seven rebound performance. Whatley collected a season-high 11 points, while Pettus added 10 points and four rebounds.

Also playing well for the Wildcats was Tobias Mahone with nine rebounds, while freshman Joey Woods continues to improve at the point guard position by handing out a season-high eight assists in the contest.

The Wildcats will get back to action again next Monday, Dec. 17 when they travel to Iowa State for a contest set as part of the Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic. B-CU will then travel to Missouri State before participating in the final two games at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.

For more information on the upcoming Findlay Toyota Las Vegas Classic, please locate your internet browser to www.orleansarena.com. For ticket information and travel arrangements, please call the B-CU Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206.