MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats pulled off a stunner Thursday night in Crisp Arena knocking off No. 5 Stillman College 105-104. The No. 19 Wildcats moved to 22-7 overall and 16-5 in the SSAC. Bethel has won nine of their last 11 and 18 of their last 21 outings. The Tigers dropped to 25- 4 and 17-4. All four Tiger losses have come on the road this season.
The Wildcats are now 83-26 all-time in Crisp Arena. Bethel is 14-3 at home this season. The Cats are 62-40 all-time in SSAC play.
It was just the second meeting ever between the two programs. Stillman beat the Wildcats 90-75 in Tuscaloosa January 17.
The Wildcats led at the half 49-43. They extended that lead to 14 with 10:50 left in the contest. Bethel led 89-76 with 7:30 remaining before the Tigers mounted a torrid comeback. Stillman took a 104-103 lead in the waning seconds. With 4.5 seconds left Bethel inbounded the ball which was knocked away. The Stillman bench contested the clock did not accurately start and the Wildcats were granted possession with 1.5 seconds left. Bethel's Noah Chatman was fouled and hit two free throws with .3 of a second left and Bethel won 105-104.
Each team had six players to finish in double figures. Isaac Edmondson scored 25 points giving him 1, 837 which places him eighth on Bethel's all-time career scoring list. Cayden Edmonson followed with 19 points. Foday Sankaray and Bradley Walker each had 12 tallies. Chase Nappier and Chatman each scored ten points. Chatman also had a game high nine rebounds. Prince McDaniel led the Tigers with a game high 28 points.
The Wildcats shot 55 percent from the floor hitting 39-of-70 attempts. They hit eight three's and were 19-of-29 from the foul line. The Tigers were 34-of-63 from the floor at 54 percent. They knocked down nine three-pointers and were 27-of-32 from the foul line.
Edmondson leads Bethel in scoring at 17.6 points per game. Edmonson follows at a 14.7 clip per contest. Chase Nappier also is in double figures at 11.3 points per outing. Edmonson is 8th in the nation in field goal percentage at 62 percent.
Bethel is No. 1 in the nation in offensive rebounds per game at 15.0. The Wildcats are No. 11 in total rebounds per outing at 42.3. They are third in the country in rebound margin at 11.3. The Cats average 90.0 points per game which is ninth in the nation. Bethel has 280 steals which is No. 1 in the country. Chase Nappier has 58 of those which is 7th best in the nation. Braxton Nappier leads the Wildcats in assists with 121.
Bethel is 21-5 when scoring 80 or more points in a game and 13-0 when scoring 90 or more points in a game. The Wildcats have scored 80 or more points in 27 of their 29 games this season.
Coach Jeff Britt is 453-300 in his 28 -year coaching career. Britt is 10th among active NAIA coaches. He is 343-238 at Bethel.
Bethel is 17- 4 when they out rebound their opponents. They are 3-1 when out rebounded. The Cats are 2-2 when tied in rebounds.
The Cats are 18-1 when they outshoot their opponents and 4-6 when outshot.
Bethel is 9-2 when they make more three-pointers in a game. The Cats are 13 -5 when the opponents make more three pointers in a game.
Bethel is 15-2 when they make more free throws in a game. They are 5-5 when the opponent makes more and 2-0 when tied in charity tosses made.
The Wildcats are 17-2 when they have less turnovers per outing. They are 4-5 when the opponents make less and 1-0 when tied in turnovers.
Bethel is 12-5 in night games and 10-2 in day affairs.
The Cats are 22 -6 when three or more players score in double figures.
The Cats close out the regular season with a home game against Mobile Saturday. It will be Senior Day with ceremonies taking place just before tip-off at 4 p.m.
After falling at Blue Mountain Thursday the Rams come to McKenzie at 10-16 and 7-14. Bethel leads the series 7-3 and is 5-0 versus the Rams in McKenzie.
Coach Jeff Britt said, "I really like the way our young men responded against one of the best teams in the country. This Stillman team is a Final Four type squad. They are very difficult to defend. Our kids battled and embraced the challenge. Every one of them contributed and made a difference. We are really proud of the effort and result."
Media coverage of the game available at:
Live video http://www.bethelathletics.com/WildcatVision
Live audio https://www.thefarmradio.com/
Live stats http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
WLJT-TV Coverage
Airdates: Sat., Feb. 23 at 10:00 p.m. / Sun., Feb. 24 at 11:00 p.m.
