MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Lady Wildcats cast their ballots Tuesday night with a convincing 82-57 victory over the visiting Brescia Lady Bearcats. The Lady Cats improved their record to 2-1 while the Lady Bearcats dropped to 1-4.
The Lady Wildcats opened slowly falling down 6-0 early but answered with a 13-point unanswered run to lead at the end of the first quarter 13-6. Bethel continued to find the range and led by as many as ten on several occasions in the second stanza. Brescia scored the last five points of the quarter and cut the Bethel lead to 33-29 at the break.
The Lady Wildcats pulled away and led by 14 at 51-37 with just under five minutes left in the third. They closed the quarter with a big run and led at the end of three 68-44.
The fourth quarter was much the same as Bethel slowly pulled away for the 25-point win.
Four players scored in double figures for the Lady Wildcats. Freshman Morgan Martin scored 12 of her game high 16 points in the second half. Cayla Sheets hit three of her four three's in the third quarter to enable the Lady Cats to break the game open. She finished with 15 points, four assists, four rebounds and drew four charges in the game. Madison Steppee was a huge part of Bethel's 50-17 advantage in the paint with 15 points in the game. Shamon Pearson was the other player in double figures with 13 tallies. Ariel Johnson contributed with eight points and 10 rebounds.
Shelbi Samsil was the only player in double figures for Brescia with 11 points.
Bethel won the battle of the boards with a 50-25 advantage. They shot 41 percent hitting 29-of-70 shots. The Lady Cats hit seven three's with six of those coming in the second half. The Lady Wildcats were 17-of-24 from the free throw line at 70 percent.
Bethel Coach Chris Nelson commented on the win, "We played well in the second half and were able to pull away. I was pleased with our inside game, especially with Madison's (Steppee) game. Our rebounding was superb and I thought our toughness was good as well. It was great to have Mariah (McKenty) back. She means so much when she is on the floor for us. We will take this win, keep working hard and prepare for Freed Saturday."
Bethel returns to action Saturday traveling to Freed-Hardeman with tip-off at 1 p.m. It will be the 67th meeting between the two programs. Bethel snapped an 11-game losing streak to FHU last year with a 78-65 win in Crisp Arena on November 24.
