MONTGOMERY, Ala. –The No. 17 Bethel Lady Wildcats overcame a cold shooting start at Faulkner Thursday night and beat the Lady Eagles 65-58. It was the first meeting ever between the two programs in Montgomery. The Lady Cats won their third straight and moved to 13-7 overall and 9 -1 in the SSAC. The Lady Eagles fell to 13-6 and 5-4. It was Faulkner's first home loss of the season. They entered the game at 10-0 in Montgomery. It was the 4th meeting between the two programs. Bethel has won all four games.
Bethel began the game hitting only two of their first 19 attempts. They shot just 25 percent (10-40) from the floor in the first half but managed to lead 26-24. Six three-pointers were the difference. Cayla Sheets and Jasmine Whittemore had two three's each while Shamon Pearson and Morgan Martin added one each. Pearson led the Lady Cats with seven points at the break.
With the game tied at 35 in the third quarter the Lady Wildcats scored eight unanswered to take a 43-35 lead and eventually led 46-36 at the end of the quarter.
Brandi Goodman scored the first five points of the fourth quarter and Bethel would move out to a 12 point lead at 51-39 at one point. Faulkner battled back and cut Bethel's lead to just four on several occasions in the last two minutes but clutch free throw shooting by Sheets, Pearson and Goodman saved the day
Bethel shot 30 percent for the game hitting 21-of-70 shots. They hit nine three's giving them 140 on the year. Faulkner hit seven three's giving them 148. Faulkner and Bethel lead the SSAC in made three-pointers. Bethel was 14-of-17 from the free throw line. Faulkner was 11-of-22 from the charity stripe.
Bethel had a 50-38 rebound advantage. The Lady Wildcats are 11-2 when they win the battle of the boards.
Pearson led Bethel with 19 points. Goodman had 13 while Sheets finished with 11. Sheets also had a game high five assists. Whittemore and Martin each had nine points. Abbey Dew and Alexis Hardaway had two points each. Hardaway grabbed a game high 14 rebounds. Madison Steppee grabbed four rebounds. Kayla Tillman led Faulkner with 13 points.
Bethel played the game without Mariah McKenty.
Coach Chris Nelson was proud of his team. "Any win is a good win but especially on road in this conference. It was good to see the way our ladies rebounded the basketball especially on a night when we couldn't buy a bucket early. I thought our experience and maturity showed because they never got rattled when shots were not dropping in the first half. Jasmine hit some big three pointers for us tonight and Shamon found her way to rim after her first couple shots didn't fall. Everyone contributed tonight. We will take a couple days to rest and recover and then prepare for round two of conference play.
The Lady Wildcats have a rare weekend off and return to action at home on January 26 against William Carey. Tip-off is slated for 5:30 p.m. Catch the action on WEIO, 100.9 and www.thefarmradio.com. Fans can also view the game on Wildcat Vision. The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 5 p.m.
