Nov. 8, 2006

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Bethune-Cookman College used a strong second half pushed, aided by Traci Fountain's game-high 22-point performance, to push past a strong Flagler College squad 64-56 in a women's basketball exhibition contest at Moore Gymnasium on Wednesday night in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Leading by just two points at the half (29-27), Bethune-Cookman wasted little time pushing that lead out to an eight-point advantage (39-31) less than six minutes into the final stanza as Danetta Simpson and Tristan McCray hit back-to-back backdoor lay-ups capping off an 8-2 run.

The lead would shift back-and-forth between a four and eight point lead before the Flagler Saints went on a 7-1 run to tie the score at 45-45 after Elizabeth Tuzzolo hit an old-fashioned three-pointer with a free throw and lay-up after a foul from B-CC's Traci Fountain. The score stood tied with 6:56 showing on the clock. The run was started by two of Brittney Garmon's team-high 13 points. Garmon also led all Saints with 12 rebounds, completing the double-double performance.

But that is where the jubilance on the Saint sideline would end as the Wildcats finally took advantage of their superior height on the inside to grab a 12-point lead (57-45) off a 12-0 run over the course of the next three minutes.

In fact, Fountain scored 10 consecutive points during the run before McCray added a basket herself on a baseline jumper at the end.

When speaking of the performance of Fountain, B-CC head coach Francis Simmons had optimism and delight in his voice. "She was a pleasant surprise offensively tonight," explained Simmons. "She showed us that she can certainly score when needed."

The lead swelled to as many as 14 points before the Saints' Jalisa Foster two three-pointers and Kortne Jackson added another long range shot to bring the score to the final mark of 64-56.

The Saints were led on the night by Garmon with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Jackson added another 10 points to round-out the double-digit scoring for the Flagler Saints.

As for the victorious Wildcats, they were led by tonight's MVP, by far, Fountain with 22 points and seven rebounds, including 4-of-7 from the foul line. Defensively, she added two steals. Behind her with a solid game was McCray with 12 points and four rebounds, as well as a game-high six assists from her guard position. Cassandra Calcagno put up double-digits in rebounding with a team-high 10 boards.

Bethune-Cookman College will now take a week off before hosting their second and final exhibition game of the 2006-07 season next Tuesday (Nov. 14) against Benedict College at 7 p.m. inside venerable Moore Gymnasium.