HATTIESBURG, MS – In a match-up between two top 20 ranked teams the home squad prevailed Saturday in Hattiesburg with No. 15 William Carey defeating the No. 19 Bethel Wildcats 81-78. The game was billed as the SSAC Game of the Week.
Bethel dropped to 21-7 overall and 15-5 in the SSAC. WCU improved to 20-8 and 16-4. Bethel had defeated WCU earlier in the season 84-79 in Crisp Arena.
The Crusaders now own a 9-5 advantage in the series and are 6-1 versus the Wildcats in Hattiesburg.
The Cats trailed 39-37 at the half. WCU shot 62 percent in the half connecting on 15-of-24 shots. Bethel shot 43 percent at 14-of-32 from the field. The Cats hit six three's in the half. Bethel's bench was a difference maker outscoring the Crusaders reserves 18-5. Charles Cobb led Bethel with 10 points in the half.
Both teams battled back and forth in the second half before the Crusaders handed Coach Steve Knight his 700th career win.
WCU shot 59 percent from the floor hitting 31-of-52 shots. They hit six three-pointers and were 13-of-18 from the foul line.
The Wildcats shot 44 percent hitting 30-of- 68 shots. They hit eight three's but were only 10-of-20 in free throw attempts.
Bethel had a commanding rebound advantage at 44-28.
Foday Sankaray scored a career high 21 points to lead the Cats. Noah Chatman had 13 tallies. Isaac Edmondson pitched in with 11 while Cobb finished with 10. Adrain Williams led WCU with 18 points.
Coach Jeff Britt said, "I'm extremely proud of our young men and how they played on this trip. They battled and played hard in both games. We had a few chances to take the lead but give William Carey a lot of credit as they made shots and plays when they needed to."
Bethel closes out the regular season hosting Stillman on Thursday and Mobile on Saturday. Senior Day ceremonies will take place before tip-off Saturday with action scheduled at 4 p.m.
The Wildcats are 82-26 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Cats are 61-40 all-time in SSAC play.
