BCU matches best MEAC start ever at 5-0

DOVER, Delaware -- Brandon Tabb scorched Delaware State with 27 points, and Isaiah Bailey nearly matched him with 23 as Bethune-Cookman University took an 86-78 decision Saturday at Memorial Hall. The Wildcats (11-9) earned their sixth straight victory and matched a program-best 5-0 start in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play.

Despite a 42-29 lead at the break, the hosts rallied back and tied the game at 50 on a Joe Lewis lay-in at 11:50.

BCU would not be denied of its fourth consecutive road win as the Wildcats went on an 11-0 run capped off by Malik Maitland's jumper at 8:05.



A 9-0 Hornet (2-19, 0-6) run cut the lead to a basket on a Lewis field goal at 5:50, but the Wildcats came back with seven straight points in 49 seconds to hold a 68-59 advantage. Over the remainder of the game, Bailey made all six of his free throw attempts and Tabb sank his four to lead BCU to the 86-78 victory.

Shawntrez Davis joined the duo in double-figures with 12 points and a game-high nine rebounds, while Maitland poured in 10 points.

BCU assisted on 14 of 24 made field goals with Tabb and Bailey each dishing out four, and shot 49% from the field and was 9-24 from beyond-the-arc. The Wildcats also sank 29 of their 35 free throws.

Tabb and Jeff Altidort each connected from three and BCU grabbed a 6-0 lead to open the game. BCU eventually extended its lead to nine as Tabb sank a three and converted an and-one for a 27-18 edge with 7:25 remaining in the opening half. A Bailey to Davis alley-pop capped the scoring with 1:29 to go as BCU held a 42-29 lead at intermission. The Wildcats shot 52% in the half on 13-25 shooting and held DSU to 12-33 from the floor.

The Wildcats continue MEAC action on the road with a Jan. 27 contest at Norfolk State.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION