MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The (RV) Bethel Wildcats resumed play Friday night in the opening night of the Wildcat Christmas Classic at Crisp Arena. The Wildcats beat Lindenwood-Bellevile 95-89 to move to 8-3 on the season. The Lynx dropped to 1-9 on the year. It was the second win over LUB this season for the Wildcats. Bethel won in Belleville earlier 81-59 and is 3-0 all-time versus the Lynx.
The Wildcats led by as many as 14 in the first half only to see LUB storm back in the last five minutes of the half to lead by one. Bethel would score the last points of the half to lead 42-41 at the break.
The Wildcats outscored the Lynx 26-5 in the first nine minutes of the second half and it proved to enough of a cushion to win by six.
The Wildcats shot 48 percent connecting on 36-of-74 shots. They hit nine three's and were 14-of-22 from the foul line. The Lynx shot 50 percent knocking down 32-of-64 shots. They hit 13 three-pointers and were 12-of-14 from the free throw line. Bethel had a 38-28 advantage in rebounds 57-42 margin in points in the paint.
Cayden Edmonson led the Bethel attack with 28 points. He is 30 points away from becoming the 30th Wildcat to score 1,000 points or more in a career at the school. Javonte Ellis tossed in 18 points while Jarred Walker had 14 points. Brenden Gillman led the Lynx with 18 points.
Coach Jeff Britt was pleased with the hard fought victory. "I thought our young men battled all night. Give LUB a lot of credit as they made us earn this win. The first ten minutes of the second half proved to be the difference. Cayden had a big night and that huge. We will rest up and get ready for a good Philander Smith team tomorrow."
Game one of the night saw Blue Mountain beat Philander Smith 81-77. BMC is 6-2 while PSC fell to 4-9.
Saturday
2 p.m. Blue Mountain vs. Lindenwood -Belleville
4 p.m. Bethel vs. Philander Smith
Live video: http://www.bethelathletics.com/WildcatVision
Live stats: http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
Live radio: https://www.thefarmradio.com/
