Feb. 17, 2007

Final Stats

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Howard University held off a furious Bethune-Cookman College comeback attempt on Saturday afternoon as the Bison collected a 56-54 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference victory inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla. For the Bison, it was their second close victory over B-CC this season as the first game in the two-game series was decided by three-points at the end.

After collecting back-to-back overtime road wins last weekend, Bethune-Cookman was unable to keep the good times rolling at home today as the Bison were effective in controlling the flow of the game at the start and holding on in the end.

Howard (9-16, 5-8 MEAC) led by 14 at the half with a seemingly commanding 36-22 advantage.

The Bison extended their lead out to 43-26 when Stanley Greene connected on a three-pointer with 14 minutes exactly left in the game.

B-CC junior guard Jordan Carrier proceeded to score seven of the `Cats next nine points as he drilled a three-pointer and two jumpers to bring the lead down to 45-35 with 11:16 remaining. Bethune-Cookman (6-18, 4-10 MEAC) then went on a 7-0 run over the course of the next three minutes to cut the deficit to just three points (45-42). Ron Mitchell scored four of the Wildcats points during the monstrous run.

Howard's Paul Kirkpatrick connected on two free throws and a thunderous baseline dunk to add to the lead and put the Bison out in front 51-44 with 3:29 left in the game. An inside "war" between Kirkpatrick and B-CC senior center Aaron Nelson juggled the lead back-and-forth between a five and seven point advantage in favor of the Bison.

With under a minute remaining, John Anderson toed the line for the Wildcats and hit two big free throws to cut the lead to 55-52. Seconds later, Wildcats sophomore Josh Cummings stole the ensuing inbounds pass and was fouled as he connected on a lay-up with 52 seconds remaining in the contest. However, the free throw attempt by Cummings missed and HU's Will Gant came down with the rebound.

HU's Darryl Hudson turned the ball over with 18 seconds left to give B-CC a chance at the tie or the win.

Coming up the court in a slow, methodical method looking to take the last shot of the game, B-CC guard/forward Jimmy Hudson--taking over the point guard duties for Damitrius Coleman who fouled out earlier in the half, turned the ball over with four seconds showing on the clock. Gant was immediately fouled by the Wildcats defense.

Gant connected on the free throw to make it a 56-54 ballgame with four seconds remaining.

The Wildcats had a chance at the end, but Cummings' driving shot from three-point range was just off the rim to allow the Bison of Howard to escape with the 56-54 win on the road in a hostile environment.

The Bison were led by Hudson with 13 points on the night as he collected a team-high tying six rebounds as well. Kirkpatrick was right behind him with 12 points and four rebounds, while Gant also hit double figures with 10 points.

The Wildcats were topped by three players in double figures. Leading the crew was John Anderson with 10 points and five rebounds. Cummings and Nelson also had 10 points, respectively. As for Damitrius Coleman, before fouling out he controlled the floor on offense with a season-high tying nine (9) assists.

Bethune-Cookman College will now get ready to host the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday night at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. The Wildcats defeated the Fighting Hawks of UMES last month on the strength of a Jimmy Hudson three-point basket at the buzzer. Game time is set for a 7:30 pm tip-off.