MONTGOMERY, Ala. – In a game that ended at 12:15 a.m. the Bethel Wildcats pulled off the lone upset of day two of the of the 2018 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Newk's Eatery, and will be joined in the semifinals by the top three seeds. The No. 5 seeded Cats prevailed in overtime beating No. 4 seeded Faulkner 96-93.
Bethel's Charles Cobb hit a last-second triple to send the game into overtime tied at 83 all. Cobb finished with a career high 26 points knocking down eight three's in the game. Isaac Edmondson added 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Chase Nappier finished with 11 tallies and six boards.
Bethel won despite three players fouling out. Nappier, Edmondson and Cayden Edmonson had to go to the bench with five personals but the Cats had several players step up with big plays late in regulation and the overtime. Braxton Nappier hit a big three. Javonte Ellis hit two big free throws. Freshman Jarred Walker hit a three-pointer and was 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Bethel's bench outscore the Faulkner bench 41-7.
Marquis Grays led the Eagles with 28 points. Logan Jozwiak had 27 points and nine rebounds. Lucas Luttrell followed with 17 points and Sean Edwards added 10 in the losing cause.
The two teams combined for 103 free throws. Faulkner was 43-58 from the line while Bethel was 32-of-45. The game marked on the eighth time on the season Bethel has been outrebounded. They are 3-5 when losing the battle of the boards.
Coach Jeff Britt expressed how proud he was of his young men. "I am so proud of our effort and play. We had the lead and let it get away but our young men show character and resolve pulling this out. Our starters were really good but our bench came in a saved the day. There were so many fouls and free throws and we found a way. I am not only proud of these kids but happy for them as well." He added, "We have to get to our rooms, get some rest and play one of the best teams in the nation in William Carey."
The Cats face WCU at 7 p.m. Friday. Follow the game on WEIO, 100.9 and at: www.thefarmradio.com. The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 6:30 p.m.
The teams split during the regular season. WCU won in Hattiesburg 101-78 while Bethel won in McKenzie 79-73.
Friday's Schedule
Game 1 | Men | 3:00 p.m. | No. 3 Loyola v. No. 2 Dalton State
Game 2 | Men | 7:00 p.m. | No. 5 Bethel v. No. 1 William Carey
