Bethune Cookman Basketball Defeats Alcorn State 55-57 as Wildcats Control Defensive Battle in SWAC Play

Bethune Cookman secured a key SWAC victory with a 57-55 win over Alcorn State in a tightly contested conference matchup defined by defense and turnover pressure.

The Wildcats shot 48 percent from the field and forced 14 turnovers, overcoming 23 giveaways of their own to close out a narrow win that could carry significant impact in the SWAC standings.

Daniel Rouzan led Bethune Cookman with 13 points and 7 rebounds, providing interior stability throughout the game. Arterio Morris added 11 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, while Quentin Heady contributed 8 points and Seneca Willoughby recorded 4 assists despite facing consistent defensive pressure. The Wildcats finished with 29 total rebounds and 9 offensive boards, generating second chance opportunities in a low possession contest.

Alcorn State shot 47 percent from the field but struggled from three point range, converting just 1 of 8 attempts. Omari Hamilton led the Braves with 11 points off the bench. Shane Lancaster added 10 points and Tycen McDaniels grabbed 6 rebounds. Alcorn State recorded 14 steals, highlighting its defensive activity, but converted only 63 percent of its free throw attempts.

The breaking update in this matchup came during the second half as both teams traded defensive stops. Bethune Cookman’s ability to protect the paint and contest perimeter shots limited Alcorn State’s offensive rhythm. The Wildcats recorded 6 blocks and 7 steals, turning several defensive possessions into transition opportunities.

From a timeline perspective, this result tightens the SWAC race as postseason seeding becomes increasingly important. Historically, teams that control turnover margin and interior defense late in the regular season have positioned themselves for deeper conference tournament runs. Bethune Cookman’s defensive numbers reflect that formula despite offensive inconsistency.

What this means moving forward is significant for both programs. Bethune Cookman improves its conference outlook and gains momentum heading into its next stretch of league games. Continued emphasis on ball security will be critical after committing 23 turnovers.

For Alcorn State, the outlook centers on perimeter efficiency and free throw consistency. The Braves generated steals and limited three point production from their opponent, but missed scoring opportunities ultimately defined the outcome.

Next steps for both teams include returning to SWAC play this week as the regular season enters its final phase. With conference positioning tightening, narrow results like Saturday’s 57-55 decision may prove decisive in tournament seeding.