PIKEVILLE, KY - The (RV) Bethel Wildcats opened the 2019-20 season Friday playing in the Appalachian Wireless Classic in Pikeville, Kentucky. They opened in thrilling fashion with an 83-81 win over Alice Lloyd. The Eagles dropped to 0-2 on the season.
The Wildcats jumped out to a 16-2 lead. The Eagles steadily fought back and cut the Wildcat lead to 42-40 at the half. Alice Lloyd took a 67-61 lead with 10 minutes left in the second half but Bethel answered with a nine point unanswered run and took a 70-67 lead. After the Eagles tied the game at 74 all, Bethel's Cameron Ricks with a deuce and a three pointer by Foday Sankaray gave the Wildcats a 79-74 advantage. The Eagles staged another comeback and tied the game at 81. Senior Cayden Edmonson on an assist by Sankaray hit a basket with three seconds remaining to give the Wildcats the victory.
Bethel shot 47 percent from the floor connecting on 32-of- 67 shots. They hit ten threes and hit nine of 14 free throw attempts. The Wildcats has a 41-33 rebound advantage. The Eagles shot 44 percent hitting 31-of-70 from the field. The hit just seven of 26 shots from three point range. They were 12-of-17 from the charity stripe.
Edmonson led the Cats with 20 points and six rebounds. Ricks followed with 19 points while Sankaray had 12 on the night. Noah Chatman led Bethel inn rebounding with eight. Blake Smith led the Eagles with 29 points.
Coach Jeff Britt stated, "We were fortunate to win. Give Alice Lloyd a lot of credit. Our kids hung in there and I am proud of how they preserved. We have a lot of work to do and hopefully this will help us in the long run."
The Wildcats face No. 4 UPike Saturday at 3 p.m. CST.
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