BLUE MOUNTAIN, MS –The No. 19 Bethel Lady Wildcats began the 2018 portion of their season in good fashion with a 65-36 road win at Blue Mountain Thursday night. Bethel ran their record to 10-6 capturing their fourth straight. They are 2-1 in the SSAC. BMC remained winless at 0-11 and 0-5. Bethel is 23-2 all-time against the Toppers.
Bethel outscored BMC 22-8 in the second quarter to lead 33-18 at the half.
A 34-6 advantage in points in the paint was a huge factor for the Lady Wildcats. The Bethel defense held Blue Mountain to just 20 percent from the field. The Toppers were 12-of-58 from the field. The Lady Cats were 25-of-64 from the floor at 39 percent.
Bethel out rebounded BMC 53-33 and held the Toppers to just five offensive rebounds in the contest. Bethel's bench outscored BMC's bench 19-3 in the affair.
Morgan Martin led Bethel with 15 points. Brandi Goodman followed with 14 points. Laurhen Pickett had a double -double with 10 tallies and a game high 15 rebounds. It was her fourth double-double of the season. Matavia Cox led BMC with a game high 19 points.
Martin along with her sister Natalie played the game with heavy hearts after the passing of the grandfather Joe David Richardson who passed away earlier in the day.
Bethel Coach Chris Nelson commented, "We are happy to get this first game after the break. I thought our kids played hard and we got the job done beginning with our defense. The second quarter was big and I like the way we held together and made an excellent run to give us a nice advantage at the half." He added, "I am proud of each one but especially of Morgan and Natalie. Our sincere sympathies to their family in their loss. They are returning home after the game to be with their love ones and will not make the trip to William Carey and that is where they need to be."
Bethel remains on the road traveling to Hattiesburg to battle William Carey Saturday at 2 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
