Wildcats Survive late SCSU Rally in 85-75 win

Karsceal Turner – I Got Next!

After the dust cleared, it was time to break out the brooms in historic Richard V. Moore gymnasium as the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats handled a late rally by South Carolina State for an 85-75 victory.

To ice the cake, it was Senior Day in historic Richard V. Moore gymnasium.  Adrien Coleman dropped 26 points and snagged 11 boards for a nice double-double while Kevin Dukes was good for 19 and was three of five in three-point shooting. He had one back-to-back streak that raised the roof of the gym!

One thing the boys in Maroon and Gold must learn to do is put teams away. Head coach Gravelle Craig stresses it every time I rap with him.

His team needed a refresher Saturday. The Wildcats (11-16 overall, 6-6 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) led at 42-28 at halftime. Then they got lax and the Bulldogs (5-20,1-11) fought back, getting as close as 79-75 with 58 seconds to play.

“Teams will make run, I try to tell our guys that,” Craig said. “South Carolina State got some easy baskets and made some shots. We helped them too. We will clean that up.” He said.

I know what the man means by “clean that up”. Certainly we’ll see better execution in protecting a lead against Savannah State Monday.

As I mentioned earlier, it was Senior Day for the CageCats and LadyCats. Paul Scotland finished with an even 10. Javoris Bryant dropped nine while Alex Smith finished with seven points four boards and a block.

Ricky Johnson came off the bench and was good for 5 dishes (assists) in a limited role; it was a solid work ethic all around

Defensively, the Wildcats converted 20 Bulldog turnovers into 33 points.”Getting turnovers helped us early with getting out in transition,” Craig said. “That is what we will try to do. We want to win these games heading into the tournament.”

Khalif Toombs scored 24 for the Bulldogs, while Matthew Hezekiah double-doubled with 18 points and 13 rebounds and Daryl Palmer added 13.

The turnaround for games is at a frantic pace right now folks. I’m doing my best to keep up. B-CU plays its home finale Monday against Savannah State.

The first three-game winning streak of the season for B-CU certainly would be a good look. The cherry on top would be a win over the current league champions, especially since the tigers beat the Wildcats 43-40 in Savannah.

I know something of the atmosphere in Tiger Arena at Savannah State University (capacity 6000). Well welcome again to the tightly packed, three syllable. Richard V. Moore gymnasium (capacity…about 2,500 a HOT BOX). The tigers are about to get a huge dose of their own medicine.

Speaking of hot, coach summed it up perfectly. “Getting hot heading into the conference tournament is the goal,” Craig said.

I definitely will be in the house for this last home thriller of the 2013 season. Dig me in about 48 hours for my next contribution as I prime you for catch-phrase time cause…I Got Next!