MURRAY, KY –The Bethel Wildcats returned to action Saturday traveling to Murray, Kentucky to face the Murray State Racers in an exhibition game in the CFSB Center. MSU counted the game as a regular season affair. The Racers moved to 9-2 with a 110-82 victory. The 110 points was a season high for the Racers.
It was the 25th meeting between the two programs with MSU now holding a 22-3 advantage in the series. They first met in 1926.
Leading 16-14 the Racers used a 26-2 run to break the game open and would lead 64-34 at the half. The 64 points in the half was a record setting performance by Murray State. It is the most ever scored in a half by a Racer squad in their 94-year old history. They scored 62 against Illinois College in 1970 and 62 versus Berry College in 1995.
The Wildcats battled back and actually outscored the Racers 48-46 in the second half.
The Cats had a 42-38 rebound advantage but the Racers forced Bethel into 18 turnovers. The Cats were 30-of- 67 from the field at 44 percent but MSU shot 55 percent hitting 39-of-71 attempts. The Racers connected on 11 three's while Bethel hit five treys in the contest.
Murray's Ja Morant, projected to be an NBA draft pick led his team with 23 points and 13 assists. Four other Racers finished in double figures. Isaac Edmondson and Charles Cobb each had 17 points to lead Bethel in scoring. Cobb had 14 of his points in the second half and led Bethel to an 11-0 run which forced Murray to put their starting guards back in the game with seven minutes left. Cayden Edmonson had 14 points. Noah Chatman had a game high ten rebounds.
Coach Jeff Britt was pleased with his team's effort. "The big run by Murray in the first half was the difference. We went cold and they hit their stride. Murray is very talented and has one of the best players in the country. They are well coached and can take you out of your game with their quickness and athleticism. I thought our kids competed hard and hung in there. This was a good test for us as we prepare for the meat of our conference schedule. We will take a day off and get ready for our long road trip to jump start the second half of our season."
The Wildcats hit the road for two straight SSAC games as they travel to Florida College Thursday and Brewton Parker Saturday. The Wildcats are 9-3 overall and 3-1 in the SSAC. Tip-off at Florida College is at 6:30 p.m. CST. The Falcons are 7-4 overall and 2-2 in the SSAC.
Bethel is led in scoring by Isaac Edmondson who averages 16.5 points per outing. Kentucky native Cayden Edmonson follows averaging 12.8 points per game. Chase Nappier averages 11.8 points per contest. Noah Chatman leads the Cats in rebounding pulling down 8.7 boards per game. Braxton Nappier leads the Wildcats in assists averaging 4.2 per contest.
Jeff Britt is in his 19th year at Bethel and is 330-234. He is 439-296 in his 28 -year coaching career. Britt is 10th among active NAIA coaches.
Bethel averages 91.6 points per game while yielding 78.2. The Wildcats average 42.8 rebounds while the opponents average just 28.8 per game. The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in eleven of their twelve games this season.
The Wildcats are 9-1 when they lead at halftime. They are 0-2 when they trail at the break.
Bethel is 8 -2 when they out rebound their opponents. They are 0-1 when out rebounded. The Cats are 1-0 when tied in rebounds.
The Cats are 7-0 when they outshoot their opponents and 2-3 when outshot.
Bethel is 3-0 when they make more three-pointers in a game. The Cats are 6-3 when the opponents make more three pointers in a game.
Bethel is 5-0 when they make more free throws in a game. They are 2-3 when the opponent makes more and 2-0 when tied in charity tosses made.
The Wildcats are 6-1 when they have less turnovers per outing. They are 2-2 when the opponents make more and 1-0 when tied in turnovers.
The Cats are 9-2 when three or more players score in double figures.
Bethel is 5-2 in night games and 4-1 in day affairs.
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