CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY –Coach Chris Nelson told his team after their disappointing loss Saturday to Pikeville to stay on course and that is exactly what they did in beating previously unbeaten and tenth ranked Shawnee State in day two of the Southern States/Mid-South Challenge in Campbellsville, Kentucky Sunday afternoon. No. 18 Bethel won in overtime 84-80.
The Lady Wildcats came out with a determined look to begin the game and maintained a slight lead throughout the first half. Leading 20-17 at the end of the first quarter Bethel held on for a one point 40-39 advantage at halftime. Shawnee State rallied and outscored the Lady Cats 23-15 in the third quarter to lead after three 62-55. They actually led at one point in the quarter 62-50. The next rally would belong to the Lady Wildcats as they moved back with to within 66-61 at the 7:54 mark of the fourth quarter. Shamon Pearson got hot and had help from Cayla Sheets, Alexis Hardaway, Mariah McKenty, Morgan Martin, Brandi Goodman, Madison Steppee and Jasmine Whittemore. Sheets hit a huge runner on the right baseline in the quarter. Goodman had two key baskets down the stretch. McKenty nailed a big three to pull Bethel to within three. Pearson hit one of the biggest shots of the early season knocking down a three-pointer to tie the game at 75 with 14.6 seconds left. Shawnee's Ashton Lovely missed a potential game winner in the final seconds and the teams went to overtime tied at 75. Pearson had three points in the extra session. Goodman, Hardaway and Sheets each scored two points in the overtime to give Bethel the 84-80 victory.
Bethel shot 46 percent from the floor hitting 33-of-71 shots from the floor. Shawnee shot 45 percent hitting 30-of- 66 shots from the field. Both teams hit seven three-pointers. The Lady Bears were 13-of-22 from the foul line while Bethel was 11-of-13 from the free-throw stripe. Both teams had 39 rebounds each in the contest. Bethel had a season low eight turnovers. Shawnee State had 14 in the game.
Jonessa Moore led the Lady Bears with 22 points. The 84 points was the most in a game this season for Bethel. Pearson led Bethel with 26 points and eight rebounds. Hardaway followed with 19 points and nine rebounds. She also led Bethel with six assists. Goodman, playing in only her second game in two years had 14 points and seven rebounds. Morgan Martin had a huge three in the fourth and finished with eight points, three boards and three assists. McKenty had six points and six rebounds.
Bethel remains unbeaten on the season when scoring 70 or more points in a game. They are 5-0 when doing that. They are also 5-0 when leading at the half.
Coach Chris Nelson was proud of his team and their effort. "We couldn't be prouder of our ladies today. Shawnee State is a great team and well coached and was a huge challenge for our team. I felt like we played the way we were supposed to and up to our abilities. Our ladies have played a tough schedule that set us up to battle through the struggles that all big games bring. We got off to a great start and Shawnee did as well hitting big shots. So many players stepped up and answered in a big way today after our staff challenged them to play to their abilities. Alexis was a true warrior today. It was so good to see Brandi see success out there and hit big shots in big moments as she continues to get her body in shape. Mariah continues to guard and she hit some key shots in critical moments today and of course Shamon was clutch hitting big shot after big shot today. Everyone one of our players contributed to this victory and did the little things within the game that allowed us to win. After the schedule we have played this one was healthy for our program."
In other action Mobile hit a last second three-pointer and stunned UPike 73-72. Campbellsville upended Martin Methodist 82-43.
The final day of the Challenge is Monday in the Powell Athletic Center with Bethel meeting No. 6 Campbellsville at 5 p.m. CST. The Countdown to Tip-off show on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com begins at 4:30 p.m.
Challenge Recap:
Saturday, December 17th
94 Shawnee State- Martin Methodist 61
61 UPike –Bethel 52
65 Campbellsville –Mobile 49
Sunday, December 18th
84 Bethel - Shawnee State 80 OT
73 Mobile –UPike 72
43 Martin Methodist –Campbellsville 82
Monday, December 19th
Game 7: Shawnee State vs. Mobile 12:00 p.m.
Game 8: UPike vs. Martin Methodist 2:30 p.m.
Game 9: Campbellsville vs. Bethel 5:00 p.m.
