Dover, Del. (Feb. 17, 2020) --- For the second straight game, the Delaware State men's basketball team came up short in its bid for a last-second win. Bethune-Cookman's  Isaiah Bailey hit two free throws with 6.1 seconds left and the Wildcats survived a potential game-winning shot at the final buzzer to defeat the Hornets 71-70 in a MEAC contest in Memorial Hall this evening.  
On the final possession of the game, Delaware State's John Crosby drove nearly the length of the court, but his shot from close range rolled off the rim as time expired.
It marked the second consecutive heart-breaking defeat for the Hornets, who fell to Florida A&M 97-95 in double-overtime on Saturday. Crosby also had the final shot in the that contest, but his desperation three-point attempt at the final buzzer fell short.
Bethune-Cookman won its fourth straight over the Hornets to improve to 13-13 overall and 7-5 in the MEAC this season.
Delaware State dropped its fifth straight game, including three by two points or less, to fall to 3-22 and 2-9.
Cletrell Pope, a Preseason All-MEAC First Team selection, was the top scorer for the Wildcats with a game-high 19 points on 7-for-8  shooting  from the field and five-of-five at the free throw line. Pope also led all players with 12 rebounds.
Bailey was Bethune-Cookman's second leading scorer in the contest with 16 points, highlighted by 12 of 13 shooting at the free throw line.
Crosby led four Delaware State double-figure scorers with 15 points, while Myles Carter came off the bench to score 14 points and tie for the team lead with eight rebounds.
The Hornets trailed by as many as 15 points in the first half, but pulled to within 35-28 at the break.
DSU scored 12 of the first 17 points in the second half, and tie the score at 40-40 on a jumper by Crosby with 15:46 left to play.
Bethune-Cookman answered with an 8-0 run, and opened up a 48-40 lead on a basket by Pope at the 13:14 mark of the second half.
Delaware State trailed 68-65 when Crosby hit three free throws to pull the Hornets to within a point  with 44 seconds left.
After a Bethune-Cookman turnover, Wiley nailed two at the line to give DSU a 70-69 lead with 11 seconds left.
The Wildcats hit 18 of their 21 free throw attempts in the game.
 
Delaware State begins a three-game road swing with a visit to Coppin State on Sat. (Feb. 22). Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. in Baltimore, Md.
The Hornets will also visit Morgan State (Feb. 24) and Maryland-Eastern Shore (Feb. 29) before playing their home finale against Norfolk State on Mar. 2.