MCKENZIE, Tenn. – After two exhibitions games the No. 16 Bethel University Lady Wildcats opened their 2019-20 basketball season Friday night in Crisp Arena in the Annual Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Classic. The Lady Wildcats beat Brescia 68 -54 to move to 1-0 while the Bearcats dropped to 0-3. Bethel moved to 8-2 all-time versus Brescia.
With the win Bethel is 107-15 all-time in Crisp Arena.
The Cats jumped out to a 19-14 lead at the end of one and led 36-27 at the half. They upped their lead to double digits in the third and led 54-41 at the end of the quarter. They led by as many as 19 with four minutes left and cruised to the 14 point win.
Bethel shot 40 percent from the floor hitting 28-of-69 attempts from the floor. They struggled from outside hitting just five of 24 three-point attempts. The Lady Cats hit 7-of-16 free throw tries. Bethel had a 44-38 rebound advantage and forced the Bearcats into 24 turnovers. Brescia was 20-of-63 from the field at 31 percent but did hit 10 three pointers in the game.
Bethel had three players in double figures led by Ge' Naisha Robinson with 14 points. Tyasia Willis had 12 points and finished with a double- double with 11 rebounds. In her debut as a Wildcat, Mickey Head had a good line with 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Cassidy Moss led the visitors from Owensboro with 12 points and eight boards.
Bethel Coach Chris Nelson said, "I am somewhat disappointed in our overall effort. We had good energy in our two exhibitions but it was not there tonight. Brescia fought hard and gave us a good test so I do not want to take anything away from them. I thought Ashton (Hulme) gave us a good spark and I am happy with her play. Dillard is athletic and talented so we must play better tomorrow."
No. 2 Campbellsville beat Dillard 78-69 in the first game of the night. They play Brescia at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The Lady Cats meet Dillard at 4 p.m. Saturday. It will be the first meeting ever versus Dillard.
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