Jan. 15, 2007

Final Stats

Daytona Beach, Fla. - South Carolina State University got help from four (4) players in double-figures to run away with a 77-56 victory over Bethune-Cookman College on Monday afternoon in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference contest at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Florida.

SCSU (4-12, 2-4 MEAC) used shooting from everywhere in the game as it was inside, outside and at the foul line for point distribution. The Bulldogs connected on 32 field goals, but even more important than that was that 21 of them were assisted shots from teammates.

Shooting lights out with 68 percent from the floor in the first half, including 50 percent from the three-point line (3x6), the Bulldogs stormed away early for a 47-19 halftime advantage. Brittany Baity did most of the damage as she connected for nine first half points, five coming at the free throw line. But it was Baity's playmaking ability that put the `Dogs out in front as she accounted for four (4) assists in the opening stanza.

Most of Baity's passes ended up in the hands of Kristin Johnson who scored eight opening half points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting touch from the field.

In the second half, the Wildcats (4-11, 1-5 MEAC) made a run at their opposition as they cut the lead down to 17 at 53-36 on the strength of a 13-2 run sparked by Cassandra Calcagno and MEAC Player of the Week, Tristan McCray.

But in the end, there was just too much post presence and outside shooting as SCSU's Baity connected on two long range shots in the second half, as well as Sophilia Hills getting into the act with a 6-for-10 outing from the field for 13 points of her own.

The Bulldogs also accumulated 38 second chance points to the Wildcats 28. For the second time this season, B-CC was held without a three-point field basket as the `Cats just couldn't find the range with an 0-for-7 performance from beyond the arc.

Baity ended up as the high-scorer for the `Dogs with a game-high 17 points and 10 assists for a double-double the hard way. Also hitting double figures were Rasheeda Jones with 16, Hipps and her 13 points, and rounded out with Johnson at 10 points, respectively.

B-CC was led by Calcagno with 17 points--her first double-figure scoring outing in seven games. She also plucked down five assists, also a team-high. Natasha Ferguson also posted a double-figure outing with 10 points and three rebounds. Sabrina Boykin and Monique Bassett each led the `Cats with four assists.

Bethune-Cookman will now travel to Howard University on Saturday in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. for their next MEAC match-up.