DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 21, 2009) ? Held to just 43 points on 16-of-43 shooting (37.2 percent), the Delaware State Men's Basketball Team (7-21, 5-8 MEAC) fell to the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (13-14, 7-6 MEAC), 50-43, on Saturday, February 21 at Moore Gymnasium. The Wildcats held the Hornets to 18-first half points and maintained a lead over the Hornets for the entire game.

“That is our style of play and they (Bethune-Cookman) just did a better job of executing,” said Head Coach Greg Jackson. “Bethune did an excellent job on both ends of the floor. And they pretty much kept us off balance. The ?slow-down' game is our game and we just didn't execute. They out-played us and out-coached us.”    

Delaware State was led by junior Marcus Neal, who poured team-high 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting (2-of-5 from 3-point land). Neal registered a game-high three assists. Senior Donald Johnson also scored in double-digits with 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting (3-of-5 from “downtown”). Leading the team in rebounds were sophomore Trevor Welcher and freshman Jared Grady, who each tallied four in the game. The Hornets also shot 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from 3-point land and was out-rebounded in the game, 34-27.

The Wildcats finished the contest shooting 35.7 (15-of-42) from the floor and was 5-of-14 (35.7 percent) from beyond the arc. Bethune-Cookman forced 17 DSU turnovers, resulting in 19 points. Leading the Wildcats was C.J. Reed, who scored a game-high 21 points on 5-of-12 shooting from the floor. Reed, who was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, converted 3-of-8 treys on the night. Starling Alexander grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds in the contest. Alexander also registered eight points and two steals.

The loss drops the Hornets to 5-8 in conference play and results in a season-series sweep for the Wildcats.

Delaware State will travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to take on the Florida A&M Rattlers on Monday, Feb. 23. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.