Wildcats Edge Eagles for 60-58 Win in Women’s Basketball
Natasha Ferguson collects 14 points to lead Wildcats in scoring
Bryan Harvey
12/17/07

(DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Dec. 17, 2007)  A classic contest had to come to an end, and Bethune-Cookman University stood on top when the clock struck all zeros to upend a resilient North Carolina Central University squad, 60-58, in a non-conference women’s basketball game held at Moore Gymnasium on Monday night in Daytona Beach, Fla.

Bethune-Cookman fell behind early-on by a count of 14-5 on the strength of a solid NCCU outbreak of scoring led by Jori Nwachukwu.  When B-CU head coach Francis Simmons elected to go to the bench, that’s when the offensive production for the Wildcats (3-7) started to come alive.

B-CU used two quick three-pointers from sophomore Keturah Newkirk in order to rapidly cut the lead down to 22-21 as the ‘Cats went on a 16-8 run over the course of four minutes.

When freshman Jalisa Isaac connected on back-to-back free throws following an NCCU (1-13) foul, the Wildcats would hold their first lead of the game at 25-24 with 5:49 remaining in the first half.  Isaac’s three-pointer from the left corner provided the ‘Cats with a seemingly comfortable 30-26 lead just moments later.

The newly reclassified Division I Eagles of NCCU would fight back to knot the score at 30-30 as Jennifer Hukill connected a jumper from the right elbow.  Hukill finished the night with 14 points for the Eagles.

B-CU would untie the score at the buzzer before the half as Jasmine Daniels’ lay-up skimmed the rim just before the horn sounded the put B-CU on top 34-32 at the break.

In the second half, B-CU jumped out to their largest lead of the game at 40-32 behind a strong 6-0 run to start the second stanza.

Newkirk and Isaac continued their scoring ways to put the ‘Cats up by eight points with 15:38 left in the game.

The Eagles would not go away quietly as this game would become a classic before long.

Nwachukwu hit a lay-up on an assist from LaVonna Hailey to cut the ‘Cats lead down to 40-39.  The score was part of a 5-0 run by NCCU that was started by Nwachukwu’s jumper from just outside the painted area.

The Eagles would later tie the game for the fifth time in the contest at 44-44 on a free throw from Nwachukwu.  Her free throw on an old-fashioned three-point play would give the visitors from Durham, N.C. the lead for the first time in the second half at 47-46 with just over seven minutes remaining in the game.

Natasha Ferguson hit one of her team-high 14 points following that with a lay-up to put B-CU back on top, 48-47 before NCCU’s Latoya Bennett finished a three-point play on a B-CU foul.  NCCU would then lead 50-48.

After both teams traded baskets, B-CU would then take control of the game once again as back-to-back baskets from Sarah Bolden and Traci Fountain put the ‘Cats back up at 56-52 with 3:26 remaining.

With B-CU on top 60-58 with 24 seconds left in the game, North Carolina Central had a chance to tie the game or take the lead with the last possession of the ballgame.

The Joli Robinson coached squad would look towards sharp-shooter Jennifer Hukill for the final basket as she spotted up cleanly from three-point range on along the left-side of the court … but the shot was just a tough too long.  The rebound went to the Wildcats’ Bolden to hold-off the upset on a chilly night in Daytona Beach.

NCCU was led on the night by multiple players in double-figures, including Nwachukwu with a game-high 20 points and 12 rebounds to complete a double-double.  Just shy of a double-double performance was Bennett with eight points and a game-high 16 rebounds.  Hailey (10) and Hukill (14) both touched double digits, respectively, for the Eagles.

B-CU was topped by Ferguson’s 14-point, four-rebound effort.  Behind her was Newkirk (11) and Bolden with 10 points and eight rebounds.  This week’s Rookie of the Week in the MEAC—Demetria Frank, dished out six assists and poured in four points for the ‘Cats.

Bethune-Cookman will now enjoy the holiday break before traveling to USC Upstate on Dec. 31 in Spartanburg, S.C.  For more information, please contact the B-CU Office of Sports Information at (386) 481-2206.  You can also locate your internet browser to www.BCCathletics.com – the official home for all 17 Wildcats varsity athletics.

--BCU--