MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Wildcats welcomed a familiar opponent to Crisp Arena Saturday as they played host to the Martin Methodist RedHawks. It was Senior Day with ceremonies taking place before the game honoring lone senior Aden Burton. The 1982 Bethel men's basketball team was also honored at halftime of the men's game. The heralded team was inducted into the Bethel University Athletic Hall-of-Fame this past year. The squad is only the third team in Bethel history to be inducted into the Hall.
The Wildcats did not disappoint their senior or the 82 squad with a convincing 88-52 victory over the Hawks. With the win Bethel improved to 16-13 overall and 9-8 in the SSAC. The Hawks fell to 8-21 and 7-11 in the league. Bethel is now 72-23 all-time in Crisp Arena.
The Wildcats shot 51 percent from the floor hitting 33-of-64 shots. They hit five three's and were 17-of-23 from the free throw line. The Wildcats had a 37-28 rebound advantage and forced MMC into 21 turnovers. The Cats had a 24-9 margin in points off turnovers. The Wildcats dominated with a 66-36 advantage in points in the paint. Bethel had 21 assists.
MMC was 17-of-55 from the floor at 30 percent. They hit only one of 14 three point attempts. They were 17-of-24 from the foul line.
Bethel played the game without the league's leading scorer (19.7) in Isaac Edmondson who sat out the game with an injury. The Wildcats however placed five players in double figures with Cayden Edmonson leading the attack with 17 points. Aden Burton and Noah Chatman followed with 12 point each. Braxton Nappier and Jarred Walker added 10 points each.
Connor Peach and Jemeereo Spain had eight each for the Hawks.
Bethel is 14-4 when they score 80 or more points in a game this season.
The game marked the 26th meeting between the two programs. MMC has a 20-6 advantage. Bethel is 3-9 in McKenzie and 3-9 in Pulaski. MMC has a 2-0 advantage in neutral site games.
Coach Jeff Britt commented on the big victory. "I am glad to see our kids play well and send Aden out with a win on Senior Day. Aden played well and I am really proud of how he performed. He is a great teammate and has meant a lot to our program. This was a nice win and we look forward to the league championships next week."
The Wildcats will be a No. 5 seed and meet No. 4 seeded Faulkner Thursday night at 9:45 p.m.
The tournament runs Feb. 28 – March 3 at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Ala. The Crusaders earn an automatic bid to the 2018 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship, and the winner of the tourney will claim the league's second automatic bid.
The Schedule
First Round | February 28 | Multiplex at Cramton Bowl | Montgomery, Ala.
Game 1 | 10:00 a.m. | No. 7 Martin Methodist (8-21, 7-11) v. No. 10 Blue Mountain (6-18, 3-15)
Game 2 | 2:00 p.m. | No. 8 Mobile (11-18, 6-12) v. No. 9 Brewton-Parker (6-23, 5-13)
Quarterfinals | March 1 | Multiplex at Cramton Bowl | Montgomery, Ala.
Game 3 | 10:45 a.m. | No. 3 Loyola (15-12, 11-6) v. No. 6 Middle Georgia (15-12, 9-9)
Game 4 | 2:15 p.m. | No. 2 Dalton State (22-7, 14-4) v. No. 7/10
Game 5 | 6:15 p.m. | No. 1 William Carey (22-5, 15-3) v. No. 8/9
Game 6 | 9:45 p.m. | No. 4 Faulkner (18-10, 10-8) v. No. 5 Bethel (16-13, 9-8)
Semifinals | March 2 | Multiplex at Cramton Bowl | Montgomery, Ala.
Game 7 | 3:00 p.m. | No. 3/6 v. No. 2/7/10
Game 8 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 4/5 v. No. 1/8/9
Finals | March 3 | Multiplex at Cramton Bowl | Montgomery, Ala.
Game 9 | 6:30 p.m.
Fans can catch the game on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com. Thursday's Countdown to Tip-off begins at 9:15 p.m.
