Bethune-Cookman University’s men’s basketball team secured its fifth consecutive win after defeating Alabama State 69-54 at the Dunn Oliver-Acadome in Montgomery, Alabama. The Wildcats remain undefeated on the road in Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play.
In the first half, Bethune-Cookman (10-11, 7-1 SWAC) fell behind by 14 points as Alabama State (6-15, 3-5 SWAC) took a 20-6 lead following an 11-0 run. The Wildcats responded with a 10-point run of their own to reduce the deficit and tied the game at 22 after a layup by Ariel Bland. Both teams went into halftime tied at 29.
Bethune-Cookman had balanced scoring in the opening half, with eight players contributing at least two points each. The team shot 41.7% from the field but missed all five attempts from beyond the arc. Tyler Byrd led all scorers in the first half with 13 points for Alabama State.
The second half saw Bethune-Cookman take its first lead of the game at the 16:54 mark with a layup by Doctor Bradley. Although Micah Simpson briefly put Alabama State back ahead with a three-pointer, Bethune-Cookman then went on a decisive 16-0 run and extended their lead to as much as 17 points.
Jakobi Heady scored 12 of his team-high 18 points in the second half and added six rebounds and two steals for Bethune-Cookman. Doctor Bradley contributed a double-double with 13 points and ten rebounds, while Daniel Rouzan finished with eleven points. B-CU shot nearly 58% from the field in the second half and made four out of seven three-point attempts.
Alabama State was held to just over 37% shooting for the game. After scoring thirteen points in the first half, Tyler Byrd was held scoreless in the second. Micah Simpson led Alabama State with sixteen points overall.
Bethune-Cookman will aim to extend its winning streak when they visit Alabama A&M on Monday night, with tipoff scheduled for 8 p.m. EST.
