Jan. 22, 2007
Box Score
PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - As the red lights went off and the clock hit 00.00, Jimmy Hudson hit a 3-pointer to lift the Bethune-Cookman College (BCC) Wildcats to a 59-57 win over the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) Monday night at the Hytche Center.
The Hawks seemed to dominate the game from start to finish, leading by as many as 12 points and holding an 11 point advantage to the 6:47 mark of the second frame. It was at that point BCC went on a 10-0 run to start the comeback.
The Hawks seemed on cruise control to take their first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) win of the season heading to the mid-way point of the second half. They were driving to the paint, grabbing rebounds and getting put backs. They even shot the three ball well, connecting on five long range bombs. However, with eight minutes and thirty seconds remaining Head Coach Larry Lessett called a thirty second time-out and slowed the pace of a game that the Hawks were controlling.
"We just wanted to make sure we got good shots and we got tentative," said Lessett. The Hawks did control the pace but turnovers and missed shots led to quick BCC baskets, mostly coming from big-man Aaron Nelson who finished with a career high 22 points.
"We wanted to contain the guards and let him do his thing," said Assistant Coach Steve Golston. "We did contain the guards and Nelson didn't decide the game." Nelson, who dominated the paint, picked up six on free throws to lead all scorers. However, the Wildcats only outscored the Hawks inside 28-26, a two point margin.
Instead the Hawks late turnovers and a couple of key misses allowed BCC to push the tempo back and whittle the lead down to one on a Jordan Carrier basket with just 24 seconds remaining.
After turnovers on both ends and a missed free throw on a one and one by Jesse Brooks there were just about seven ticks as BCC dribbled the length of the floor through tough pressure and found Hudson in the corner for the buzzer beater.
"It was the most painful loss I've ever had," said a dejected Lessett.
The loss drops the Hawks to 3-16 and 0-7 in the MEAC while BCC improves to 4-13 and 2-6 in league play.
While Nelson led all scorers the Hawks placed two in double digits, Corey Brown with 17, 13 in the first half; and Antonio McMillion who came away with 15 points. No other player would score more than nine. McMillion led the effort on the boards with eight and UMES out boarded BCC 36-32.
UMES now takes a day off and begins to prepare for in-state rival Morgan State whom they face on Saturday, January 27 at 4:00 pm in Baltimore. They host Coppin State at home the following Monday at 7:30 pm.
