MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The No. 21 Bethel University Lady Wildcats opened their 2018-19 basketball season with a 87-57 victory over Hiwassee Friday night in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Classic being held in Crisp Arena. Bethel moved to 6-0 all-time versus Hiwassee.
Bethel led 15-10 at the end of the first quarter and extended their margin to 35-25 at the half. They went on to lead 72-42 at the end of three.
It was a marvelous Bethel debut for Dyersburg native and UTM transfer Myah Taylor who knocked down seven three-pointers and finished with a game high 31 points. She was 7-of -12 from behind the arch. Sophomore Millie Bryant had 18 points while Morgan Martin followed with 12 in the opener. Hailey Browning led Hiwassee (0-1) with 16 points.
Bethel finished with 12 three's in the game and shot 44 percent from the floor hitting 27-of-61 attempts. The Lady Cats hit 21-of-26 free throw tries. They dominated the boards with a 55-27 advantage. Hiwassee was 19-of-63 from the field at 30 percent and hit only four of 24 three point attempts.
Coach Chris Nelson said, "This was a great way to start our season. We have a happy medium of new faces and returners and we are working on getting better and developing our chemistry early on." He added, "Myah got us going shooting the ball and did a great job giving us energy to start the second half by rebounding. Millie was super aggressive getting to the rim and finishing strong. We have to improve a lot of our habits but that will come with the process."
No. 3 Campbellsville upended Brescia 109-76 earlier in the evening.
The Lady Cats meet Brescia Saturday at 4 p.m. The Wildcats are 6-2 all-time versus the Bearcats. Campbellsville will face Hiwassee at 2 p.m.
