Bethune-Cookman walked into Jan. 31 needing to keep momentum alive — and left with its fifth straight win, pulling away late to beat Alabama State 69-54 in NCAA action.
The game was level at halftime, 29-29, but the Wildcats owned the second half, outscoring Alabama State 40-25 to turn a coin-flip contest into a two-possession game — and then a comfortable finish.
How the game flipped
For 20 minutes, neither team separated. Alabama State matched Bethune-Cookman score-for-score to a 29-29 tie at the break, a promising script for a Hornets team that entered at 6-15 and had alternated results recently (LLWLW).
Then the margin widened quickly. Bethune-Cookman’s 40-point second half overwhelmed Alabama State’s 25, creating the decisive 15-point gap at the final horn. With no overtime needed, the Wildcats’ advantage after halftime was the story of the night.
Second-half control
Bethune-Cookman’s ability to win the post-halftime segment by 15 points was the defining swing factor. In a game tied at 29, the Wildcats effectively turned the final 20 minutes into a separate contest — and won it convincingly.
Alabama State, meanwhile, couldn’t recreate its first-half pace. A 25-point second half left too little margin to withstand Bethune-Cookman’s push, especially with the Wildcats continuing to play like a team in form (WWWWW).
What it means going forward
For Bethune-Cookman, the result reinforces a clear trajectory shift: five straight wins and a 10-11 record after a controlled closeout in a game that was tied at intermission. The Wildcats didn’t need a fast start — they needed a finishing kick, and they got it.
For Alabama State, the loss drops the Hornets to 6-15 and underscores the challenge of sustaining offense across both halves. The first 20 minutes were good enough to trade punches; the last 20 weren’t, and against a team playing its best basketball of the season, that was the difference.
Final
Bethune-Cookman 69, Alabama State 54 (29-29 at halftime; Bethune-Cookman won second half 40-25). Venue: TBD.