MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Bethel Wildcats appeared to be headed to the Saturday SSAC title game holding an 18 point lead over the Middle Georgia State Knights with 10:25 left in the semifinals at the 2019 SSAC Men's Basketball Championship in Montgomery Friday. The Knights rallied however and beat the Wildcats 94-93 in double overtime.
The Knights will meet Loyola in the championship Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CST at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl.
The Knights' Michael Graham won it in double-overtime on a last-second bucket. Seconds prior to Graham's heroics, Bethel's Jarred Walker drilled a 28-foot three pointer to give the Wildcats a 93-92 lead.
Bethel hit only 12-of-25 free throws after halftime and got 30 points and six assists from Isaac Edmondson and 14 points and 13 rebounds from Cayden Edmonson. Edmondson moved to No. 7 on Bethel's all-time career scoring list. Charles Cobb hit four three pointers and scored 16 on the night. Noah Chatman was solid with seven points and 11 boards. Bethel finished the game 18-of-34 from the foul line.
Middle Georgia hit 22-of-28 free throws after the first half and got 31 points from Darrell White and 20 points and eight boards from Antony Edwards.
Coach Jeff Britt said, "We hustled hard and played well at times. Our inability to keep their guards in front of us was a big factor. The missed free throws was our undoing as well. We simply did not do a good job closing the game out. We have fought that a couple of times this season.
The Wildcats hope to receive an at large bid to the national tourney which takes place in Kansas City. Follow that story line here at www.bethelathletics.com
