MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats looked to extend their win streak to four and victory No. 100 in Crisp Arena as they played host to Blue Mountain Saturday and that is just what they did with an 89-82 win over the Toppers.
The Cats are 10 -3 at home on the season and 100- 29 all-time in Crisp Arena. Bethel is 71- 44 all-time versus SSAC foes.
Blue Mountain fell to 11-6 and 4-5. It was the 26th meeting between the two with Bethel holding a 21-5 advantage in the series. The Cats have won the last six in the match-up. Bethel has a 12-2 margin in games played in McKenzie.
Bethel outscored the Toppers 7-2 in the last two minutes of the first half to lead 37-32 at the break. Cayden Edmonson led Bethel with 11 points. BMC outscored the Cats 10-2 to open the second half and after that it was nip-and-tuck the remainder of the game. Edmonson scored 15 points in the second half and finished with a game high 26 points. He moved past former Bethel standout Danny Monroe for 25th on the all-time scoring list with 1, 151 points. Four other Wildcats finished in double figures. Jarred Walker had 15 points and seven assists. Cameron Ricks had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Foday Sankaray had 11 points. Noah Chatman contributed with 10 points. Javonte Ellis had nine points and seven rebounds. Brandon Williams led BMC with 25 points.
Blue Mountain had a 32-27 advantage in made field goals but the Wildcats were 26-of-36 from the free throw line. Bethel won the battle of the boards at 42-37. The Cats had a 51-44 margin in points in the paint.
Coach Jeff Britt commented, "This was a tough game and I am proud of our team prevailed. Blue Mountain is very physical and they guard extremely hard on every possession."
The Cats return to action Thursday traveling to Faulkner with tip-off in Montgomery at 7:30 p.m.
Live stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/TeamSchedule.aspx?association=10&sg=WBB&sea=NAIWBB_2018&team=17651
Live video:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvBs0okgtedJxrooFJKsumw
