Bethune-Cookman smacked by Central Florida, 81-45

From BCU Athletics:

The Wildcats struggled to find their way to the tune of an 81-45 setback at the hands of UCF, Sunday afternoon in Orlando.

How It Happened

The Wildcats (1-6, 0-0 SWAC) kept things close through most of the first half of play. Marcus Garrett led the Wildcats, and all scorers, with seven of B-CU’s first 10 points through nearly ten minutes of play. The Wildcats connected on just three of 14 three pointers in the half and could not get to the free throw line, attempting only two through 20 minutes while the Knights (4-2, 0-0 AAC) found their way to the line eight times. Two double-digit scoring runs put UCF up 48-21 at the half.

The Wildcats fared slightly better in the second half but were still outscored 24-33 as UCF closed out the 81-45 victory. The Wildcats shot just 33 percent from the field in the game and made only four of 22 three point attempts. UCF shot 55 percent for the game, including 9-21 from three.

Joe French led the Wildcats with 12 points, followed by Marcus Garrett’s 11. UCF featured four double-digit scorers, led by Darin Green Jr., who scored 18.

As the Wildcat’s grueling road swing winds down, head coach Reggie Theusexpects his team to move on quickly from the loss:

“It’s been a tough, tough stretch, and we’ve been on the road forever,” Theus said. “It’s not excuses. In fact, our guys have played at a high level for us. Today was the first time I thought we played below our level, and it happens. I thought we won a couple of stretches in the second half.”

Theus is not one to overreact after the loss.

“It’s not a matter of how you play today,” Theus said. “It’s a matter of how you play the next game. You really do just walk away. You walk away understanding that you’re better than that, and there’s so many other factors involved. We’ve been playing pretty well, and you are always bound to have a game where things don’t do your way.

Game Notes

• The Wildcats made only three of ten free throw attempts in the game, while the Knights finished 16-18.
• UCF won the rebounding battle, 36-28, though the Wildcats did grab 10 offensive boards, converting them into seven second-chance points
• Three Wildcats, Garrett, Dylan Robertson, and Damani McEntire, finished with three steals in the game.
• The B-CU bench scored 14 points to UCF’s 28 in the game.
• 21 UCF baskets came after assists
• The UCF victory marked their 14^thstraight against the Wildcats

Up Next

The Wildcats face one more on the road before finally making their 2021-22 home debut at Moore Gymnasium. The Wildcats will travel to Raleigh, NC to take on NC State, Thursday, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m.

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12/9/2021 | 6:30 p.m.

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