MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The No. 17 Bethel Wildcats moved to 24 -7 on the season with a 68-67 win over Faulkner late Thursday night in the 2019 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship, presented by Newk's Eatery. Bethel has won 11 of their last 13 and 20 of their last 23 outings. The Cats, seeded third in the championships staved off the hometown sixth seeded Eagles at the Multiplex at the Cramton Bowl in downtown Montgomery.
The two teams split during the regular season. Faulkner won at home beating the Wildcats 93-73. Bethel won later in the season in McKenzie 93-78. Faulkner dropped to 19-12.
Bethel trailed at the half for just the seventh time on the season. Faulkner erased an eight point deficit to lead at the break 32-29. Neither team could manage more than a six point advantage for much of the second half. With the game tied at 59, Bethel's Braxton Nappier hit a short floater to give the Cats a 61-59 lead. Isaac Edmondson then drained a short jumper in the paint to make it 63-59. Noah Chatman's short floater made it 65-59. Bethel took a late eight point lead but Faulkner did not go quietly into the night. They drained a couple of late three's and made it close at the end. Cayden Edmonson hit a late free throw to give the Cats a four point lead. A late three-pointer by the Eagles was not enough as Bethel held on for the victory.
The Wildcats shot just 30 percent from the floor hitting 22-of-72 shots. They hit just two of 15 three-point attempts attempts. The Cats connected on 22-of-32 free throw attempts. Faulkner was 21-of-61 from the floor and hit five of 14 three-point attempts. Like Bethel, the Eagles struggled at times from the line hitting just 20-of-32 free throws.
Bethel's board work was a huge key. The Cats had a 56-43 rebound margin and the nation's leading offensive rebounding squad had a 25-13 advantage in offensive rebounds.
Edmondson led the Cats with 21 points. Chase Nappier popped in 14 points while Chatman finished with 10n points. Nappier had a double-double grabbing 13 rebounds. Edmonson also had 13 boards.
The game featured 10 ties and 14 lead changes.
The Wildcats meet Middle Georgia Friday at 7 p.m. The seventh seeded Knights upset No. 2 seeded William Carey 77-72 earlier in the day.
Coach Jeff Britt said, "I thought we came out tight tonight. We were tentative at times but made some big plays there at the end. Our offensive board work was a huge key. Our experience and ability to stay together at the end were huge factors. We need to get some rest and be ready tomorrow night. I believe we will play much better and we need to if we wish to advance."
Friday, March 1
Game 7 | 3:00 p.m. | Loyola v. Stillman
Game 8 | 7:00 p.m. | Middle Georgia v. Bethel
Saturday, March 2
Championship Game | 6:30 p.m. | Winner of Game 7 v. Winner of Game 8
Isaac Edmondson leads Bethel in scoring at 17.6 points per game. Cayden Edmonson follows at a 14.9 clip per contest. Chase Nappier also is in double figures at 11.5 points per outing. Edmonson is 7th in the nation in field goal percentage at 63 percent.
Bethel is No. 1 in the nation in offensive rebounds per game at 14.7. The Wildcats are No. 12 in total rebounds per outing at 41.8. They are second in the country in rebound margin at 10.5. The Cats average 90.2 points per game which is sixth in the nation. Bethel has 295 steals which is No. 1 in the country. Chase Nappier has 59 of those which is 10th best in the nation. Braxton Nappier leads the Wildcats in assists with 123.
Bethel is 22-5 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 28 of their 31 games this season.
Coach Jeff Britt is 455-300 in his 28 -year coaching career. Britt is 10th among active NAIA coaches. He is 345-238 at Bethel.
Bethel is 19- 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 19-1 when they outshoot their opponents and 5-6 when outshot.
Bethel is 9-2 when they make more three-pointers in a game. The Cats are 15 -5 when the opponents make more three pointers in a game.
Bethel is 17-2 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 5-5 when the opponents make less and 2-0 when tied in turnovers.
Bethel is 13-5 in night games and 11-2 in day affairs.
The Cats are 24 -6 when three or more players score in double figures.
The Wildcats finished the regular season 83-26 all-time in Crisp Arena. They are 63-40 all-time in SSAC play.
Bethel action can be heard on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com.
Live video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ssac/
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