Strong Second Half Lifts Stetson over
Bethune-Cookman, 62-51
Wildcats men’s basketball remains
winless in loss to Volusia County foe
Bryan
Harvey
Nov. 21, 2007
(DeLAND, Fla. – )
A.J. Smith
scored 21 points to help lead Stetson
University over visiting Bethune-Cookman
University, 62-51 on Wednesday night at
the Edmunds Center in nearby DeLand,
Fla.
B-CU (0-4) was unable to break into the
win column on Wednesday night as they
held their own with their Volusia County
rival for 25 minutes. That’s when a
strong second half from Garfield Blair
and A.J. Smith pushed Stetson (2-4) out
to an insurmountable lead in
double-digits.
The Wildcats of Bethune-Cookman led
23-21 at the half, thanks mainly to
Dewayne
Pettus and
Jimmy
Hudson who combined for 13 of
the ‘Cats first half points.
After trailing 13-4 just seven minutes
into the contest, B-CU made a huge 15-6
run behind the efforts of Pettus and
Hudson to tie the game at 19-19. A
jumper from junior guard Josh
Cummings—playing in his first game of
the season after serving an academic
suspension on a rule imposed by head
coach Clifford Reed, Jr., gave the
Wildcats their 23-21 advantage at the
break.
The ‘Cats pushed that lead out to as
many as four (27-23) on two free throws
from Hudson before the homestanding
Hatters made a run.
After four (4) more ties in a matter of
two minutes on both teams swapping free
throws, an A.J. Smith three-point basket
from the right elbow allowed the Hatters
to go out in at 34-31. Cummings matched
that with a three-point basket of his
own, but Garfield Blair collected nine
of his 11 points in the game during the
second half to keep the ‘Cats at bay.
Missed free throws really hurt the
Wildcats of B-CU as they went just
14-for-22 at the foul line. But, the
good news is that B-CU committed a
season-low seven turnovers in a
slower-paced offensive set employed by
Coach Reed.
The Hatters also commanded the battle of
the board with a 41-20 margin in
rebounds. There was one series for
Stetson in which they took just under
three minutes off the clock with four
(4) offensive rebounds. The play was
eventually ended with a Sheldon Oliver
lay-up.
Stetson led the ‘Cats by a count of 17-6
in second chance points on the night.
The Hatters were paced by Smith’s
21-point outburst, as well as Blair with
11 of his own. Oliver added 11 rebounds
in a game-high effort in that category.
B-CU was charged by Hudson’s 12 points.
He was backed up nicely by Cummings and
Pettus with 10 points each,
respectively. Hudson added a team-high
six rebounds as well.
Bethune-Cookman will look once again to
break into the scoring column when they
host Edward Waters on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
inside Moore Gymnasium. For ticket
information, please call the B-CU Ticket
Office at (386) 481-2292.
--BCU--