MCKENZIE, Tenn.- The Bethel Lady Wildcats fought a cold shooting first half and foul trouble but found a way to win, beating Cumberland University 69-60 in the final game of the 2018 SSAC/MSC Challenge Saturday night in Crisp Arena.
Bethel shot just 24 percent in the first half but finished at 34 percent in the game hitting 22-of-64 shots. They knocked down nine three pointers and hit 16-of-22 free throws. Life shot 38 percent from the floor and hit six three's. They were 12-of-13 from the foul line. After being out rebounded in their last two games Bethel bounced back with a 41-26 board margin.
The fourth quarter was the difference as Bethel outscored the Phoenix 27-14 in the final stanza.
Myah Taylor led Bethel with 21 points. Morgan Martin had 18 points and 12 rebounds. Tyasia Willis also had a double-double with 11 points and 13 boards. Millie Bryant had 10 points. Dominique St. Louis led CU with 13 points.
The Bethel bench outscore the Phoenix 18-8.
Coach Chris said, "This was a great team win. We are so proud of our perseverance and ability to grow as a team on a night it did not go our way early on. We got into some foul trouble early and we had to depend on our bench and I thought they stepped up. I think the adversity really made us come together and figure things out on the fly. Morgan (Martin) really stepped up and showed great leadership when things got tough and she carried us on both ends for a stretch." Nelson added, "Ty (Willis) has really got comfortable and settled in and she is giving us that extra energy our team needs throughout games. We kept our head above water in the first half and settled in during the third and finally got things going on the fourth. This was a tough but fun win for our team tonight."
Bethel returns to action November 20 hosting Fisk University at 5:30 p.m.
