BLUE MOUNTAIN, MS – The Bethel Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak with a much needed victory at Blue Mountain Thursday. The Cats won 89-81 pushing their record to 9-7 and 2-2 in the SSAC. BMC dropped to 4-7 and 1-4.
Bethel led by as many as eight points in the first half but BMC battled back to tie the game at 43 at the break. The Wildcats pulled away in the second half to lead 63-53 with 12:30 left. They pushed the lead to out as many as 14 at 81-67 at one point. The Toppers made a late run and pulled to within six at 83-77 with 3:28 left but the Cats held on to win by eight.
Bethel shot 45 percent from the floor at 29-of-64. BMC was 28-of - 64 at 43 percent. Bethel's ability to get to the foul line was a big factor. They hit 26-of-32 attempts for 81 percent. The Cats won the rebounding stat at 49-28.
Isaac Edmondson led Bethel with a game high 33 points. He scored 22 of his points in the first half. The junior from Dickson has 1, 118 career points and is 25th on Bethel's all-time scoring list. Chase Nappier had 14 points, all of them in the second half. Chase Brittingham led BMC with 21 points. Quan Cothron had 20 for the Toppers. Justin McClellon had 13 tallies.
Bethel Coach Jeff Britt was pleased with the victory. "I'm proud of our effort and how we held together and battled tonight. It's never easy on the road in this conference. Isaac was big with his scoring but a lot of other kids really were keys as well. Brandon Baucum, Javonte Ellis and Conner Boley for example were huge off the bench. Chase got it going in the second half and that was a big part of the win. Charles Cobb was really good on the boards and score eight points as well." He added, "We will get some rest overnight and bus into Hattiesburg and face an always tough William Carey squad."
Bethel remains on the road traveling to Hattiesburg to battle No. 24 William Carey Saturday at 4 p.m. There will be no local radio coverage but fans can follow the game with live video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYp2rZ7GGyM
Live stats will also be available at: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
