MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The (RV) Bethel Wildcats beat the visiting Knights of Middle Georgia State 95-88 Saturday afternoon in Crisp Arena. It was the second of five straight home games for the Cats who have won 11 of their last 13 games. Bethel moved to 16-5 overall and 10-3 in the SSAC. MGS fell to 12-6 and 7-6. Bethel leads the series 5-3 and is 2-1 in games played in McKenzie.
Bethel is 10 - 3 at home on the year. Bethel is 79-26 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Cats are 6-2 in road games. The Wildcats are 56-39 all-time versus SSAC opponents.
The Knights outscored the Wildcats 14-4 in the last several minutes of the first half and led the Cats 41-36 at the half. It was only the fifth time the Wildcats have trailed at the half this season. They are 2-3 when trailing at halftime. Bethel shot 55 percent from the floor while MGS shot 49 percent. The Wildcats struggled from the foul hitting just 23-of-42 attempts.
Cayden Edmonson led the Wildcats with 22 points and 15 rebounds. It was his second straight double-double. Isaac Edmondson returned to action after sitting out of the game against Faulkner due to illness and finished with 22 points. Foday Sankaray and Chase Nappier each added 11 points.
Bethel is 10 -0 when scoring 90 or more points in a game. They average 90.3 points per game which is 11th in the country. Bethel had a 37-32 advantage in rebounding versus MGS. The Wildcats average 42 rebounds while the opponents average just 31 per game. That rebound margin is second best in the nation.
The Wildcats are 14-2 when they lead at halftime. They are 2-3 when they trail at the break.
Bethel is 13-3 when they out rebound their opponents. They are 1-1 when out rebounded. The Cats are 2-1 when tied in rebounds.
The Cats are 13-0 when they outshoot their opponents and 3-5 when outshot.
Bethel is 6-1 when they make more three-pointers in a game. The Cats are 10-4 when the opponents make more three pointers in a game.
Bethel is 10-1 when they make more free throws in a game. They are 4-4 when the opponent makes more and 2-0 when tied in charity tosses made.
The Wildcats are 11-2 when they have less turnovers per outing. They are 4-3 when the opponents make less and 1-0 when tied in turnovers.
Bethel is 8-4 in night games and 8-1 in day affairs.
The Cats are 16-4 when three or more players score in double figures.
The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in 19 of their 21 games this season.
Coach Britt is in his 19th year at Bethel and is 338-235. He is 447-297 in his 28 -year coaching career. Britt is 10th among active NAIA coaches.
Coach Jeff Britt was pleased with the win. "I was pleased with our maturity tonight. Despite the fact we trailed at the half our kids didn't get rattled and we got the win. Our energy was much better in the second half and that proved to be a huge factor. Cayden was simply great with his effort and play. It was good to get Isaac back and he played well despite the after effects of his illness. Foday gave us a good spark off the bench. Coach Moe does a great job with his team and they always play so hard so we had to fight to win tonight."
The Wildcats host Florida College Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Bethel beat Florida College 96-84 in early January.
Fans can listen to the action on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com.
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