Bethune-Cookman tops Florida A&M, 89-77, shares MEAC title

Mar 2, 2018, 04:48 am

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Soufiyane Diakite had a perfect shooting night to score 27 points, grab 14 rebounds and power Bethune-Cookman to an 89-77 win over Florida A&M to claim a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title Thursday night in the final game of the regular season.

Bethune-Cookman (18-13, 12-4) entered the last game of the regular season in a five-way tie for first place with North Carolina A&T, Hampton, Savannah State and Norfolk State. NC A&T was upset by North Carolina Central and Hampton beat Norfolk State, whittling the logjam down to three: B-CU, Savannah State and Hampton.

Diakite was a perfect 13-for-13 shooting from the field and hit his only attempt from beyond the 3-point arc. Isaiah Bailey converted 9 of 10 from the free-throw line and finished with 24 points and Shawntrez Davis added 17.

The Wildcats built a 12-point lead by intermission by shooting 55.6 percent from the field (15 of 27).

Marcus Barham put up 28 points and Elijah Mayes scored 25 to lead the Rattlers (8-24, 7-9).