Bethune-Cookman topped 73-70 by Norfolk for MEAC title

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Bethune-Cookman battled back from a 14-point deficit with 7 1/2 minutes left to have a chance to tie in the final seconds, but the Wildcats fell short Saturday afternoon in their first MEAC tournament championship game appearance.

Norfolk State survived two game-tying 3-point attempts in the final 17 seconds to win 73-70 and claim its first MEAC title and NCAA tournament bid.

"We feel we gave it out best shot," said B-CU guard Kevin Dukes, who led the Wildcats with 18 points. "We've got a good group. We came together as a team. We're proud of each other. We just have to come back and work as hard next year."

The fourth-seeded Wildcats (18-17) needed most of the second half to get a 13-point halftime deficit below double digits, and they didn't do that until Javoris Bryant's layup off a feed from Garrius Holloman made it 59-51 with 5:17 to play.

No. 2 seed Norfolk State (25-9) stretched the lead to 69-60 on two Kyle O'Quinn free throws with 1:28 to play, but the Wildcats made one more push.

PHOTOS: 2012 Conference Champions

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