CJ Reed scored seven of his team’s last eight points, including a go-ahead jump shot and four free throws down the stretch to lead Bethune-Cookman to a 52-47 win over the Maryland Eastern Shore in the quarterfinal round of the MEAC Tournament at the Lawrence Joel Memorial Coliseum.

 

The Wildcats (17-15), the Number 6 seed, advances to the semifinal round against Norfolk State, the Number 3 seed on Thursday at 6 pm.  The Hawks, the Number 11 seed, finish their season at 7-23.

The game was almost a carbon copy of the two regular season matches that Bethune-Cookman won by a combined total of five points.  There were 10 ties and 10 lead changes with neither team leading by more than seven

 

“It was a two-point game at our place so we knew that  it was going to be a tough game for us and that we would have to match their intensity,” said Reed, the coach’s son and the MEAC Rookie of the Year.  “It was a hard fought game and we are happy that we came out on top.”

 

With the Wildcats clinging to a 46-45 lead at the 2:19 mark, Reed asserted himself.  First he hit a 15-foot jump shot at the 1:18 mark.  After the Hawks failed to score on the other end, Reed knocked down two free-throws to extend the lead to five, 50-45.  UMES got back to within three at 50-47 on a three pointer by Marc Davis.

 

Then Reed nailed two insurance free throws after a big offensive rebound by John Holmes gave the Wildcats a second chance.

 

“I thought CJ played great,” said B-CU Coach Cliff Reed.  “He was able to make some clutch plays for us and his free-throws were big down the stretch.”

 

The Hawks, who made strides during the season under first year head coach Frankie Allen, had their opportunities but could not make enough plays when it mattered.

 

“The game could have gone either way.  We had chances but they made the key plays down the stretch,” said UMES Coach Allen.

 

Chris Conner led the Hawks with 13 points while Neal Pitt, a second team All-MEAC selection, recorded a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.