MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats opened their 2018-19 basketball season Tuesday at home hosting the Philander Smith Panthers. Bethel improved to 73-23 all-time in Crisp with an 83-75 win over the visitors from Little Rock. It marked only the second meeting between the two programs with Bethel winning both in McKenzie.
The Wildcats led 43-35 at the half and maintained that margin pretty well through the second half. The Cats shot 45 percent from the floor connecting on 29-of-64 shots. They hit four three's on 19 attempts. Bethel was 19-of-34 from the foul line. The Panthers shot 43 percent hitting 28-of-65 attempts from the floor. They hit seven three's and knocked down 12-of-19 free throws.
Isaac Edmondson led Bethel with 28 points. Bradley Walker followed with 13 points. Chase Nappier and Jarred Walker each scored 11 points each. Noah Chatman grabbed 10 rebounds.
Na' Quan led the Panthers scoring 22 points.
Bethel had a 51-31 rebound margin. They had a 28-8 advantage in second chance points and a 50-34 margin in points in the paint.
Coach Jeff Britt said, "I thought our kids played hard and well at times. Philander is a very good basketball team and coached well by Coach (Todd) Day. We got the nerves out of the way and now must prepare for two really good squads this weekend."
The Wildcats return to action Friday and Saturday in the SSAC/MSC Challenge.
Here is the line-up of games.
Friday, November 9
2:00pm Men - Martin Methodist vs Life
4:00pm Women - Martin Methodist vs Cumberland U
6:00pm Men - Bethel vs Georgetown
8:00pm Women - Bethel vs Lindsey Wilson
Saturday, November 10
12:00pm Men - Martin Methodist vs Georgetown
2:00pm Women - Martin Methodist vs Lindsey Wilson
4:00pm Men - Bethel vs Life
6:00pm Women - Bethel vs Cumberland U
