Daytona Chief: Fired B-CU coach refused to aid in rape case involving son

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman University's men's basketball coach, fired this week, refused to cooperate with police as they investigated a sexual assault claim involving the coach's son, Police Chief Mike Chitwood said Tuesday.

In a letter to former coach Clifford Reed, B-CU president Trudie Kibbe Reed said her decision to terminate the longtime coach on Monday was based on his "failure to cooperate and insubordination with respect to the university's investigation into allegations against the university and its men's basketball program."

A police report released Tuesday concerning rape allegations made by an 18-year-old basketball player on B-CU's women's team names C.J. Reed as the lone suspect in the assault, even though the accuser never mentioned him as her attacker.

C.J. Reed, a junior guard, was the conference player of the year after leading the Wildcats to their first MEAC championship in school history. C.J. Reed has not been arrested or charged in the case.

The investigation was closed after the accuser refused to follow through with it, police said.

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B-CU Releases Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed

B-CU fires men's basketball coach Clifford Reed after most successful season in school history

Daytona Beach, FL - Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) announced today that it has released Head Basketball Coach Clifford Reed, effective immediately. The University made the decision to release Coach Reed following an internal administrative review. Assistant Head Basketball Coach Gravelle Craig is currently managing all B-CU basketball program operations.

B-CU fires basketball coach

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman has fired longtime men's basketball coach Clifford Reed, a little more than three months after the Wildcats completed their best season in 30 years.

Reed was fired for refusing to cooperate with a university investigation and insubordination, according to his termination letter obtained today by The News-Journal.

The letter reads: "Please be advised that the University has decided not to offer you a new employment contract as head men's basketball coach, and your employment as head men's basketball coach is terminated effective immediately. This decision is based on your failure to cooperate and insubordination with respect to the University's investigation into allegations against the University and its men's basketball program."

Reed, 46, said he was presented the letter, which was signed by Bethune-Cookman President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed, at a meeting this afternoon. Clifford Reed added that Athletic Director Lynn Thompson also was at the meeting.

Clifford Reed fired as Bethune-Cookman men's basketball coach

Bethune-Cookman has fired men's basketball coach Clifford Reed. The school announced the decision in a short press release Monday evening. It did not give a reason, but the decision came after an internal administrative review. Assistant Cravelle Craig will take over the program for now.

Reed, a B-CU graduate, was 125-166 in 10 seasons as coach, including an 74-88 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. This past season the Wildcats had one of their best, going 21-13, winning the conference in the regular-season at 13-3 and qualifying for the NIT Tournament where it lost to Virginia Tech.

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Today's NIT: Tech, a top seed in NIT for third time, hosts Bethune-Cookman

Bethune Cookman Wildcats (21-12) at Virginia Tech Hokies (21-11)

TELEVISION: 8 p.m. EDT, ESPNU

While Virginia Tech was still trying to come to grips with yet another NCAA Tournament snub Sunday evening, Bethune-Cookman’s players and coaches waited excitedly to find out who they would play in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament.

They cheered wildly as ESPNU revealed their matchup with Tech.

The Wildcats (21-12) take on the Hokies (21-11) tonight in Blacksburg in the first round of the NIT. The game tips off at 8 p.m. and will be televised by ESPNU. The winner advances to play the Witchita State-Nebraska winner in the second round.

'Cat has better Reed on game

DAYTONA BEACH -- C.J. Reed doesn't need to glance at the newspaper box scores from the MEAC tournament to recall his rare back-to-back off nights. The league's Player of the Year has every aspect of his struggles memorized.

"Four for 19, four for 17, three free throws in the first game and five in the second," Reed said of his stat lines during two games in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"I know those numbers inside and out. I don't think I made the shots I normally make and didn't get to the line enough. That hurt us in the long run."

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What to watch: Conference top seeds headed to NIT

USA TODAY takes a look at what to watch for during a pivotal week in college basketball as March Madness looms:

Three to watch

Bethune-Cookman and C.J. Reed: The team won its first Mid-Eastern Athletic regular-season title since joining Division I in 1980. Reed, a junior guard playing for his father, Clifford, is averaging 19.5 points and 4.6 assists overall and 40.2 minutes a game in MEAC play. Four of the Wildcats' MEAC games have gone to overtime; nine others have been decided by seven points or fewer.

So Reed has played 643 of 665 MEAC minutes - a big reason the team is 12-1 in those 13 close games.

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20 facts about B-CU's 20-win season

In college basketball, 20 is a magic number for victories. Reaching 20 guarantees nothing, but it always suggests success. With 20 victories, a major-college team can usually book its postseason plane tickets.

For lower-level Division I teams, 20 victories is a particularly rare feat. The North Carolinas and Kentuckys of the world fill their early schedules with the Savannah States and USC Upstates of the world to pad their records.

Teams like Bethune-Cookman have to play those "guaranteed money" games early to support their programs. But you might as well call those games "guaranteed losses."

In 31 years as a member of Division I, B-CU (20-11, 13-3 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) had never achieved 20 wins in a season until ...


Videographer: chesmon40; Play: Bethune-Cookman University's Alexander Starling (32) drives to the basket over Florida A&M's Yannick Crowder (42) at Bethune-Cookman  for Wildcats 20th win of season on Thursday.

B-CU goes OT for 20th

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Alexander Starling was getting frustrated sitting on the bench with foul trouble in the second half. He wanted to get back in the game and make a play. At the last possible moment he got his chance.

With the score tied at 71 with 4.9 seconds left in overtime, the 6-foot-6 senior intercepted the in-bounds pass and drove to the bucket to give Bethune-Cookman a 73-71 victory over archrival Florida A&M in the season finale Friday at Moore Gymnasium.

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B-CU wins MEAC

DAYTONA BEACH -- At halftime, Bethune-Cookman coach Clifford Reed knew his team had already clinched the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference's regular-season championship for the first time in the Wildcats' undistinguished 32-year history in Division I basketball.

He made sure to keep the information to himself. Not that it would have mattered. The Wildcats were more intent on winning their sixth straight game, a 73-60 victory over North Carolina Central on Monday night at the Ocean Center than taking a breath to recognize history.

"When we came here, we set out to play in the NCAA Tournament and dance in March," said C.J. Reed, the coach's son, who scored a game-high 23 points Monday. "That was our goal, not just to win the regular-season title."

Bethune-Cookman beats NC Central 73-60, wins MEAC

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – C.J. Reed scored 23 points and Stanley Elliott added 16 to carry Bethune-Cookman past North Carolina Central 73-60 on Monday night.

The Wildcats (19-11) learned at halftime that they had wrapped up their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title since joining the league in 1980-81, by virtue of Morgan State's 68-60 loss to North Carolina A&T.

LADY EAGLES BASKETBALL FALLS IN OVERTIME BATTLE TO BETHUNE-COOKMAN, 66-60

DAYTON BEACH, Fla. - The Lady Eagles of North Carolina Central hit the Daytona Beach, Fla., hardwood looking to obtain its first road win of the 2010-11 campaign on Monday, Feb. 28. But Bethune-Cookman rejected the idea of a home loss, defeating NCCU 66-60 in an overtime battle.

The mighty maroon appeared to have the contest sealed, until the Lady Wildcats chiseled away at a first-half 13-point lead and tied the contest at the 8:58 mark of the second-half.

B-CU’s Jasmine Elum opened the final 20 minutes of play with a three-point shot, bringing the opening half lead to a single-digit margin. Sarah Bolden followed with a two-pointer, nailing the first five-points of half.

The two teams went point-for-point heading down the final stretch of the game, until junior Blaire Houston hit the charity stripe with four seconds left on the clock. With two shots in the palm of her hand, Houston sinked the first shot for the tie and missed the second shot for a score of 53-53, sending the contest into overtime.

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Reed, Holloman lift B-CU to win over S.C. State

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- C.J. Reed scored 20 points and Garrius Holloman had 17 as Bethune-Cookman protected its spot atop the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference with a 76-72 victory over South Carolina State in the Ocean Center on Saturday.

The Wildcats (18-11, 12-3), who led by 13 points with 4:51 to play, held off a late rally by the Bulldogs (8-20, 4-11) to notch their most wins in a season since becoming an NCAA Division I member in 1980.

By winning its fifth straight game and eighth in its last 10, B-CU now leads Morgan State -- a 69-63 loser at Norfolk State -- by 1 1/2 games. Morgan State has road games remaining at North Carolina A&T and Coppin State while the Wildcats have one league remaining next Thursday against Florida A&M. Monday's game with North Carolina Central doesn't count in conference standings.

Lady Bulldogs come from behind to down Bethune-Cookman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - South Carolina State turned a four-point half-time deficit into a four-point victory as they defeated Bethune-Cookman, 64-60, in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest at the Ocean Center. The victory is the first road win of the 2010-11 season for the Lady Bulldogs.

Bethune Cookman opened the game on a 16-2 run over the first six minutes. S.C. State then used a 14-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 with less than nine minutes remaining. The teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes before a jumper by the Lady Wildcats' Amanda Hairston at the 4:10 mark began an 11-0 run which gave Bethune-Cookman the 34-23 lead with just over one minute remaining in the half. S.C. State closed the half with a 7-0 run to go into the locker room down by four, 34-30, at the half.

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Elliott's Tip In Helps Bethune-Cookman Nip Howard

Washington, DC—Stanley Elliott scored on a tip-in after a missed shot with 1.0 seconds left to help Bethune-Cookman escape with a 66-64 win over Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Burr Gymnasium.

After the Bison (6-21 overall, 4-10 in the MEAC) tied the game at 64 on a pair of free throws by Mike Phillips with 10 seconds remaining, the Wildcats (17-11 overall, 11-3 in the MEAC) pushed the ball up the floor and got a long three point attempt by Kevin Dukes that came off the right side of the rim and into the hands of Elliott, who used his left hand to tip the ball in the basket.

B-CU wins another close road game

WASHINGTON -- Stanley Elliott's tip-in with 1.1 seconds remaining gave Bethune-Cookman yet another fantastic finish on the road and a 66-64 victory over Howard in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game Monday night.

B-CU (17-11, 11-3) concludes its MEAC road schedule with an 8-0 record -- seven of those decided by three points or less. It also clinched the third straight winning season for B-CU, which won its fourth straight.

"We were lucky to come out of here with a victory, but that's what we've done all year -- find a way to win," B-CU coach Cliff Reed said. "It's a testament to everyone's hard work this season. The guys gutted and played hard after an emotional double win Saturday at Hampton."

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Hampton Pirates fall in double O.T to B-CU; fall out of 1st

HAMPTON– The Hampton University men’s basketball team fell 78-76 in double overtime to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday at the HU Convocation Center. The Pirates (19-7, 9-4 MEAC) have lost back-to-back games for the first time this season and fall a game behind Bethune-Cookman in the conference standings.

C.J. Reed hit a floater as time expired to give the Wildcats (16-11, 10-3 MEAC) the win, after the Pirates fought back with a 6-0 run to tie the game at 76-76 on a layup from junior guard Kwame Morgan with 50 seconds left in the second overtime period.

HU loses double overtime heartbreaker to Bethune-Cookman

HAMPTON — Darrion Pellum knew how important Saturday's game was in terms of Hampton University's seeding situation with the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament two weeks away.

He'd only discussed it a few dozen times with his teammates in the days leading up to HU's meeting with Bethune-Cookman, which sat tied atop the MEAC with HU at 9-3 in the conference heading into the game.

After Bethune's 78-76 double overtime victory at HU's Convocation Center, Pellum and his teammates were left to wonder what it would mean for HU (19-7 overall, 9-4 MEAC). It's a serious blow to HU's confidence heading down the stretch in what is traditionally a one-NCAA tournament bid conference — and will be again this season.

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Bethune-Cookman 61, South Carolina State 60

Another day, another close loss for the South Carolina State men's basketball team. All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference guard C.J. Reed hit two free throws with 22.6 seconds left and Khalif Toombs missed a jumper with four seconds left to give Bethune-Cookman a 61-60 victory over the Bulldogs.

Reed finished with 17 points and Stanley Elliott added 11 to lead the Wildcats (12-9, 7-1), who own a two-game lead in the conference standings. It was the fifth loss this season by four or less points for the Bulldogs (5-15, 1-6), who have lost six straight games and dropped to 5-4 at home this season.

With Howard's win over Maryland-Eastern Shore, both teams and S.C. State are tied for last place in the win column.

Bethune-Cookman 64, South Carolina State 55

Home cooking was not enough to stem the South Carolina State women's basketball team's slump Saturday at the Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.

Despite a season-high 20 points from Whitney Wiley and 14 points and five assists from Tiara Knotts, another lax second-half effort on defense resulted in the Lady Bulldogs' fifth consecutive loss.

Trailing 27-22 at halftime, the Lady Bulldogs were outscored 37-33 in the second half. In the last three games, S.C. State (6-11, 2-5) has allowed an average of 45.3 points in the second half.

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Hampton 68, Bethune-Cookman 56

DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- Bethune-Cookman coach Clifford Reed thought his team "lacked passion . . . and toughness" in a disappointing 68-56 loss Saturday to Hampton at Moore Gymnasium.

"There's no excuse for our guys to come out flat and not play hard," Reed said.

Bethune-Cookman fell to 10-9, 5-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference as it lost its first conference game and first game at home this season. In their first home conference game, the Wildcats never led and were only able to tie the score twice. Reed said the home letdown wasn't a surprise.

Hampton rolls to win at Bethune-Cookman, ties for MEAC lead

Charles Funches scored the game’s first nine points on 3-pointers, and Hampton University never trailed during a 68-56 victory Saturday at Bethune-Cookman in Daytona Beach, Fla. The Pirates (15-4, 5-1), who have won three straight games, moved into a tie for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference lead with B-CU's Wildcats (10-9, 5-1), whose five MEAC wins all came on the road.

After leading 34-23 at halftime, the Pirates poured it on. Kwame Morgan scored six points during a 10-3 run, and Wesley Dunning scored four in an 11-3 push to put HU in front 55-32 with 10:52 remaining.

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UMES men fall to Bethune-Cookman

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- The University of Maryland Eastern Shore men's basketball team tried to make a late second-half comeback, but fell short 71-64 on Monday to Bethune-Cookman. The Hawks trailed Bethune-Cookman 38-28 at halftime. UMES outscored Bethune-Cookman 36-33 in the second half.

Tyler Hines led the Hawks with 19 points, and also grabbed six rebounds. Hillary Haley chipped in with 12 points in the loss.

Morton steps up game in UMES win

PRINCESS ANNE, MD -- Paced by guard Casey Morton matching her career high of 24 points, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore women's basketball team cruised to a 69-52 win over Bethune-Cookman in the first game of Monday's matinee doubleheader. The win was their second in a row and second straight at home.

"I'm Casey's biggest critic, so I always look at her turnovers," said UMES head coach Fred Batchelor. "I look and say she had too many turnovers in any given game, but the fact is when she puts the ball in the basket, she makes us a better team. When she can control the ball and take care of it and get us going, we go when she goes."

B-CU stays perfect in MEAC

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. -- C.J. Reed and Garrius Holloman scored 15 points each as Bethune-Cookman defeated Maryland-Eastern Shore 71-64 on Monday to remain unbeaten in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The Wildcats (10-8, 5-0) led by 14 points, 47-33, less than 5 minutes into the second half, but the Hawks (4-13, 1-3) didn't fold, coming within a point, 49-48, after a 15-2 run that included two 3-pointers by Dishawn Bradshaw -- his only 3-pointers in 10 attempts.

The Hawks trailed by two, 62-60 with 1:53 to play, but a layup by Reed made it 64-60, and Stanley Elliott, Javoris Bryant and Holloman each hit two free throws for Bethune-Cookman down the stretch.

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