Feb. 09, 2008

Box Score

Daytona Beach, Fla. - Freshman guard Demetria Frank hit a shot at the buzzer to lift Bethune-Cookman University over Norfolk State University, 76-74 in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference women's basketball contest at Moore Gymnasium in Daytona Beach, Fla. on Saturday afternoon.

NSU's (4-15, 1-8 MEAC) Danelle Tate connected on a wide-open driving lay-up with 10 seconds remaining on the clock to knot the game at 74-74 and cap, what appeared to be, a perfect come-from-behind classic for the visiting Spartans. B-CU, however, had one more chance to avoid overtime as freshman guard Demetria Frank took the inbounds pass and raced up court before being surrounded by a slew of Spartan defenders.

Frank spun around and heaved up a shot from just inside the three-point line at the top of the key ... and as the buzzer sounded her jumper banked off the backboard and sailed through the net to give the Wildcats their first conference victory of the season.

For B-CU (4-17, 1-8 MEAC), it was also their first MEAC win since knocking off Maryland Eastern Shore, 47-46 back on Feb. 19, 2007 at The Ocean Center in Daytona Beach. That is a span of 11 consecutive games in league play.

The Wildcats felt as if the game should never have come down to this point as they led 44-30 at the break.

In the second half, B-CU led by as much as 16 (61-45) following a lay-up from Frank in the lane on a fast-break after a steal from NSU's Raychele Payne.

The lead was just not enough, apparently, as the visiting Spartans refused to go away as they used a strong late run sparked by two free throws from Tashawna Higgins.

The Spartans jumped back into the contest on the strength of a 12-2 run over the course of the next three minutes to cut the lead down to just 71-68 with 1:49 left in the contest.

Natasha Ferguson registered two of her 14 points when she took a Demetria Frank pass down the middle of the paint for the bucket. Higgins and Natasha Huntley had an answer for NSU as they cut the lead back to one (73-72) to put the Spartans as close as they had been since the opening session of the game ... until the tying basket with 10 seconds left.

The game opened up in a frenzy for the `Cats as freshman guard Jalisa Isaac hit three (3) three-pointers to open up a comfortable lead for B-CU early-on in the first half.

Isaac, a product of nearby New Smyrna Beach High School, hit double-digits for just the third time this season, and slammed home a season-high 24 points for the Wildcats.

Payne was the one doing work on the day for the Spartans of NSU as she delivered 26 points for the Green and Gold, leading all scorers in the contest. Behind her in double-figures were three other Spartans, including Danelle Tate (15), Ebony Gibbs (13) and Higgins (10). Gibbs also had a monstrous day with the ball as she registered six assists and pulled in seven steals on defense.

B-CU was led by the play of Isaac with 24 points, while Natasha Ferguson posted her ninth (9th) double-double of the season with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ferguson has now collected back-to-back double-doubles for the third time this season--continuing her All-MEAC possible performance as a senior.

Frank added 13 points while teammate Traci Fountain collected 11 points of her own.

The Wildcats will look to build upon their newfound success and hot ways on Monday night when they host MEAC undefeated and top-ranked North Carolina A&T State University at 5:30 pm back inside Moore Gymnasium. Live stats will be available through Game Tracker on the official website for all B-CU athletics at www.BCCathletics.com.