MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats saw their seven game winning streak snapped Thursday night falling to visiting Loyola 87-83 in Crisp Arena. The Wildcats fell to 11-4 and 5-2 while Loyola moved to 9-5 and 4-3.
It was the 11th meeting between the two programs with Loyola taking a 6-5 lead in the match-ups. It was Loyola's fifth straight win in the series.
Bethel is 76-26 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Wildcats are 51-39 all-time versus SSAC opponents.
Bethel took a 37-20 lead with 8:38 left in the first half but the Pack mounted a comeback and cut the Bethel lead to 48-43 at the half.
The Wildcats maintained the lead much of the second half and led 58-49 at one point. Loyola hung in behind the play of Myles Burns and Zach Wrightsil and took their first lead late in the game on a basket by Trey LaForge. Braxton Nappier's two free throws gave Bethel an 83-82 lead but LaForge again answered with a basket and Loyola escaped with the victory. His eight late points would be huge for the Pack. A three-point attempt by Bethel's Charles Cobb was dead on but came up short in the waning seconds.
There were a total of 69 free throw attempts in the game. Loyola was 24-of-37 from the line while Bethel was 25-of-32. The Pack connected on three of nine three-point attempts while Bethel was 4-of-19 from long distance. LU shot 55 percent hitting 30-of-54 attempts from the floor. Bethel was 27-of-61 at 44 percent. Both teams pulled down 33 rebounds each. Loyola had 26 turnovers while Bethel committed 23 on the night.
Isaac Edmondson was superb leading Bethel with 29 points. He also had a game high six assists. Nappier finished with 13 points while Noah Chatman had ten points.
Wrightsil led Loyola with 22 points. Burns had 17. Terry Smith Jr. was a difference maker for Loyola coming off the bench with 16 points. Tre' Von Jasmine scored 12 in a reserve role.
Bethel Coach Jeff Britt credited Loyola but felt his team let the game get away in the second half. "Loyola is a good young squad and Coach Hollowell does a great job with them. We had a nice lead in the first half and let them get back into the game at the half. We then had a nine point second half margin and did not put the game away. We did not react to their zone the way we should have and I am disappointed because we worked on that all week. We still had a chance to win at the end and the shots just did not drop. We will get their legs some rest and prepare for as always an outstanding William Carey squad."
The Wildcats return to the court Saturday hosting No. 22 William Carey at 2 p.m.
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