Feb. 9, 2008

Box Score

Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP) - Michael Deloach picked up a blocked shot, turned around and swished a 15-foot jumper with 0.6 seconds left, carrying Norfolk State University to a 78-77 overtime victory over Bethune-Cookman University on Saturday inside Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla.

The win completed a 24-point comeback for the Spartans (11-10, 7-2 MEAC). Bethune-Cookman (9-14,3-6 MEAC) committed 22 turnovers after leading by 29-22 at halftime.

Deloach, who did not start, finished with a game-high 30 points. His total included a 15-for-21 effort from the free throw line. Teammate Tony Murphy chipped in with 14 points, and Corey Lyons added 11.

John Holmes paced Bethune-Cookman with 23 points, with Dewayne Pettus scoring 18 and Jimmy Hudson 13.

The Wildcats, led by Holmes and Pettus, had used a 22-2 run early in the second half to go up by 24 points, 51-27, with 10:51 remaining. Norfolk St. hit only two of its 12 field goal tries over that span.

The Spartans still trailed by 23 at 8:30 when they began their comeback.

Deloach led a 10-0 Norfolk St. run that started the Spartans to a 69-all score at the end of regulation. Corey Lyons' drive to the basket with 2.2 seconds left sent the game into overtime.

Bethune-Cookman jumped ahead by three, 75-72, in overtime, and led by 77-76 after two Holmes free throws with 15.6 seconds left. NSU's Murphy then tried a shot with 5.0 seconds showing. But B-CU's Hudson blocked it, with Deloach retrieving the ball and shooting the game-winner.

For the Wildcats, this is their second loss of the season in overtime, and the third time they have given up a lead of double-digits late in the game. B-CU led by 16 against Delaware State just two weeks ago before falling in overtime at home.

The 'Cats led by 19 against South Carolina just a week ago to the day on the road in Orangeburg before falling by three, 51-48 late in the contest. And then, tonight's edition of the Cardiac Cats took place as well.

"I really don't know what else to do except keep working at it, and try and keep their heads up," exclaimed B-CU head coach Clifford Reed, Jr. "This season could easily be the other way around right now with all our close losses, and I just have to stay positive ... and show them that we are still right in this thing."

In fact, Bethune-Cookman has now lost four conference games this year by a combined total of eight (8) points to register their current record of 3-6 in league play. That includes overtime defeats at the hands of Delaware State and Norfolk State.

Last season in Daytona Beach, it was a three-pointer and free throws from All-MEAC member Tony Murphy that allowed the Spartans to escape with a win late in the game. Murphy was held in check for most of the night tonight though connecting for double-digits through 14 points.

B-CU will try and regroup before hosting North Carolina A&T State University back inside Moore Gymnasium on Monday night at 7:30 pm. Live stats will be available through Game Tracker on the official B-CU athletic website at wwww.BCCathletics.com.