MT. VERNON, Ga. - The Bethel Lady Wildcats won their eighth consecutive game Saturday afternoon with an 84-52 win at Brewton-Parker. The Lady Cats moved to 14-6 overall and 6-1 in SSAC action. BPU fell to 4-12 and 2-6.
Bethel shot a remarkable 85 percent hitting 12-of-14 attempts in the first quarter and led 29-16 at the end of one. Jasmine Whittemore knocked down three three-pointers and led all scorers with 11 points. Her second three-pointer moved her into ninth on the all-time Bethel career list past former Bethel great Tristian Johnson.
The Lady Wildcats continued to pull away in the second quarter. Morgan Martin and Laurhen Pickett shared scoring honors with 12 each at the half as Bethel led 50-29 at the break. Martin joined Whittemore with three made three's.
Bethel never looked back in the second half and cruised to the win. The Lady Cats shot 50 percent hitting 33-of-65 attempts from the floor. They connected on 12-of-31 three point tries. BPU was 19-62 from the floor at 30 percent. They hit 6-of-21 three-point attempts. Bethel had a 46-35 rebound advantage.
Five Lady Wildcats finished in double figures. Martin led Bethel in scoring with 21 points. Pickett finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds. It was her seventh double-double on the season. Whittemore had 13 points while Shamon Pearson had 12. Pearson moved to within three points of tying former Bethel great Jackliann Street for sixth on Bethel's all-time scoring list with 1, 343 points. Brandi Goodman wound up with 10 points in the contest.
Bethel is 9-0 when scoring 70 or more points in a game this season. Dating back to last year Bethel is 24-0 when scoring 70 or more points in a game.
Ni' Dericka Rainey led the Barons with 10 points.
Coach Chris Nelson said, "We are very proud of our total team effort and the way we played tonight. I am very proud of our chemistry and the way our team is playing right now. We shot the ball extremely well but also really shared it and created open looks for each other. We were able to adjust on the fly to different looks they were throwing at us and our guard experience paid off and was able to keep it simple in the offensive end. It's has taken all year to get to this point but our players are settled in their roles and are now complimenting each other with their play. Our three post rotation is where we like it and our guards are picking what the defense gives them."
Bethel has several days off before returning to action Saturday traveling to Montgomery, Alabama to face Faulkner University. The Lady Wildcats beat the Eagles 72-60 on December 16 at Crisp Arena.
