MCKENZIE, Tenn. — The No. 20 Bethel Wildcats moved to 17-5 overall and 11-3 in the SSAC with an 80 –69 win over the visiting Florida College Falcons Thursday. It was Bethel's 13th win in their last 15 games and fifth straight.
Bethel is 11 - 3 at home on the year and 80 -26 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Cats are 6-2 in road games. The Wildcats are 57-39 all-time versus SSAC opponents.
Florida College dropped 11-11 and 5-9. Bethel defeated the Falcons earlier this season 96-84 in Temple Terrace. The game was just the second meeting ever between the two programs.
The Wildcats took control early jumping out to a 19-2 lead and led at halftime 41-22. They would lead by as many as 22 with 12:09 left in the game. Florida College rallied and the Cat margin to 61-54 but Bethel answered and moved on to their 80th all-time win in Crisp Arena.
Bethel was outrebounded for only the third time all season at 43-42 but forced the Falcons into 27 turnovers in the contest. The Wildcats had a 25-7 margin in points off turnovers. Bethel's ability to get to the free throw line was a factor in the game as the Cats hit 25-of-38 attempts.
Cayden Edmonson led Bethel with 21 points and nine rebounds. Edmonson is 9th in the nation in field goal percentage at 61 percent. Isaac Edmondson had 15 points giving him 1, 725 which places him 11th on the all-time scoring list at Bethel. Noah Chatman had a double-double with 11 points and ten rebounds.
Bethel is 16-3 when scoring 80 or more points in a game.
Bethel is 13-3 when they out rebound their opponents. They are 2-1 when out rebounded. The Cats are 2-1 when tied in rebounds.
The Cats are 13-0 when they outshoot their opponents and 4-5 when outshot.
Bethel is 6-1 when they make more three-pointers in a game. The Cats are 11-4 when the opponents make more three pointers in a game.
Bethel is 11-1 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 12-2 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 9-4 in night games and 8-1 in day affairs.
The Cats are 17-4 when three or more players score in double figures.
The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in 20 of their 22 games this season. They are 10-0 when scoring 90 or more points in a game.
Coach Jeff Britt is in his 19th year at Bethel and is 339-235. He is 448-297 in his 28 -year coaching career. Britt is 10th among active NAIA coaches.
Britt said, "I like the way we jumped out to the early lead. Our kids played hard and really got after them on the defensive end. A big part of our game is in transition and getting points off turnovers. That was a big factor for us tonight. We had a 19 margin in points in the paint and that was a difference as well. Cayden and Noah were big for us and we need those type performances from them and others to be really good. I also thought our guards did a great job on the defensive end. Florida College has a lot of talent there and we made them earn their points."
The Wildcats host Brewton-Parker at 4 p.m. Saturday. The Wildcats won at BPU earlier this season 96-84. The Cats lead the all-time series 6-3. The Barons are 1-19 overall and 0-13 in the league. They have lost 18 straight games.
Fans can listen to the action on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com.
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