Feb. 3, 2007

Final Stats

Hampton, Va. - Hampton University used defense and dominant inside presence in order to sail past Bethune-Cookman College, 67-45 on Saturday evening in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game inside the HU Convocation Center in Hampton, Va.

Bethune-Cookman (4-16, 2-8 MEAC) was unable to score or stop Hampton in the first half as they were forced into 13 first half turnovers. The Pirates defense was relentless, and turned the Wildcats turnovers into points as they registered 14 points off turnovers in the first half.

Already leading 37-19 at the half, Hampton (8-12, 5-5 MEAC) kept the full court defense and intensity up in the second half as they were simply more physical than the Wildcats on this night.

"Hampton was defensively sound and ready to play tonight," commented B-CC head coach Cliff Reed, Jr. "At the same time, we have to be able to match an opponent's intensity, and we didn't do a very good job of that tonight."

Hampton's freshman Matthew Pilgrim established himself early-on in the second half as he backed down junior Kenyan Alston and threw down a vicious dunk to put the Pirates up 54-27 with 10:55 left in the game. That dunk capped off a 6-0 HU run that was started by a jumper in the lane from Rashad West.

The Wildcats tried to cut into the lead as they went on an 8-2 run that was helped out by a lay-up from John Anderson and a jumper from Jimmy Hudson.

Dewayne Pettus' jumper with 7:36 left pulled the `Cats to within 21 at 56-35. But it was the inside play, once again, that hurt the Wildcats.

Mike Freeman had a reverse lay-up to put the Pirates back up by 23 just moments later, and a late three-pointer from West put the Pirates back up by their largest lead at 27 points.

On the day, the Wildcats shot just seven percent (1x13) from three-point range, and 30 percent for the game. They were out-rebounded by the Pirates, 38-26, leading HU to a 32-16 advantage on points in the paint. B-CC was forced into 22 turnovers by the heavy Pirates defense, and that allowed for a 21-12 advantage in points off turnovers.

"We have to do a better job of protecting the ball, and taking the shots that we are capable of making," added Reed. "This was a game that we prepared very well for, but didn't shoot it well and folded way too early. We have to find some heart RIGHT NOW, and find a way to salvage the season before it's too late in the second half."

Hampton was led on the day by West with 15 points and four assists. Freeman chipped in 13 points and three rebounds, while Demario Mattox and Pilgrim each added 11 points, respectively.

The `Cats of B-CC were helped out by Hudson's 11 points, but it was Anderson chipping in 10 points to keep the `Cats inside play healthy for a while. Alston collected a season-high 10 points while shooting a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe.

It will be a nationally televised audience that gets to see the Wildcats try and get back on the winning track Monday night when they visit Norfolk State University at 8 p.m. inside Echols Hall in Norfolk, Va. The game is set to be televised live by ESPNU.