Pope, Redd help Bethune-Cookman top SC State 69-65 in OT

Cletrell Pope had 14 points and 15 rebounds to lift Bethune-Cookman to a 69-65 overtime win over South Carolina State on Saturday.

Leon Redd and Isaiah Bailey scored 18 points apiece for Bethune-Cookman (14-13, 8-5 Mid-Eastern Conference). Malik Maitland added 10 points.

Maitland grabbed a defensive rebound and hit a jumper at the other end to give the Wildcats a 63-62 lead with 46 seconds remaining in overtime. Bethune-Cookman went on to build a six-point lead as Redd hit two free throws, Bailey made one of two from the line and Redd connected on a fastbreak layup. With four seconds left, a three-point play by Damani Applewhite turned out to be South Carolina State's only points in the final two minutes of OT.

Applewhite had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs (11-14, 6-7). Ozante Fields added 13 points and nine rebounds.

The Wildcats improve to 2-0 against the Bulldogs this season. Bethune-Cookman defeated South Carolina State 78-74 on Jan. 27.

Bethune-Cookman plays at home against Norfolk State on Monday. South Carolina State plays at Florida A&M on Monday.