Dover (Jan. 24, 2009) --- Delaware State forced Bethune-Cookman to commit 40 turnovers, and freshman Sonia Johnson scored a game-high 19 points in the Lady Hornets' 54-51 win in Memorial Hall Saturday.
DSU won for the fifth time in the last six games to improve to 8-10 overall and 4-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). Bethune-Cookman has dropped four of its last five to fall to 7-9 and 1-5.
The win also marked the 100th MEAC victory for Delaware State head coach Ed Davis (100-46), who is in his ninth season with the team.
Johnson was 7-for-11 from the field to reach double-figures in scoring for the fifth time in the last six games. Jameka Smith and Cortney Crockett added eight points each for the Lady Hornets. Smith also had a team-high five steals to become the Lady Hornets' all-time leader with 274.
Demetria Frank led three Bethune-Cookman players in double-figures with 15 points. Jasmine Daniels added 14 points and Jalisa Isaac 10 for the Lady Wildcats.
Delaware State led 21-15 at the half, and opened up a 32-23 lead on a lay-up by Crockett with 14:10 left to play.
The Lady Hornets led 35-26 before Bethune-Cookman battled back.
Frank capped off a 14-5 BCU run with two free throws to tie the game at 40 with 5:04 remaining in the game.
After a Delaware State turnover on its next possession, Isaac nailed a three-pointer to give the Wildcats a 43-40 lead with 4:26 left.
The Lady Hornets answered with baskets on its next three possessions, each by Johnson, to regain the lead. Her final bucket gave DSU a 46-43 lead with 3:17 left in the game.
Bethune-Cookman pulled to within 47-45 on a lay-up by Frank, but Johnson hit a free throw and Crockett a lay-up to give Delaware State a 50-45 lead with 1:16 remaining.
The Lady Hornets hit four free throws in the final 37 seconds to seal the win.
The 40 turnovers committed by Bethune-Cookman are the high for a Delaware State opponent this season.
Delaware State was 18-for-52 from the field (34.6%), including 2-of-11 from three-point territory. The Lady Hornets turned the ball over 28 times.
Bethune-Cookman was 14-for-25 from the field in the second half (56%) to finish 20-of-46 (43.5%) for the game. The Wildcats were 6-for-11 from beyond the arc.
The Lady Hornets held a big advantage at the free throw line. Delaware State was 16-for-26 at the line, compared to 5-of-8 for the Wildcats.
DSU will return to action on Monday at home against Florida A&M. Game time is 5:30 p.m. Bethune-Cookman will take on Maryland-Eastern Shore on Monday in its next outing.
