COLUMBIA, Ky. – The No. 14 Bethel University Lady Wildcats made their debut a forever memorable one in Mid-South Conference action at (RV) Lindsey Wilson Saturday afternoon. Bethel prevailed in overtime, beating the Lady Blue Raiders 71-70. Bethel improved to 3-1 and 1-0. It was LWC's first loss as they fell to 4-1 and 1-1.
Bethel led 33-28 at the half and maintained the lead throughout the second half only to see the Blue Raiders tie the game with a three-pointer in the last minute of regulation. LWC outscored Bethel 10-2 in the last four minutes to knot the game at 63 all.
Tasia Jones scored the first six points of overtime for Bethel but it was a basket by Mickey Head with 47 seconds left which proved to be the game winner for the Wildcats. Jones would finish with a game high 24 points, 19 of those in the second half and overtime. She also had nine rebounds. Head had a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Oliva Rinehart came off the bench with seven points. Ever Walker had seven tallies. Mille Bryant score five points and had seven rebounds. Ashton Hulme had several key late rebounds in the game and finished with seven boards on the day.
Maleigha Oldham led the Raiders with 21 points. Reagan Turner followed with 15 points.
Bethel shot 33 percent from the floor (27-80) while LWC was 20-of-61 at 32 percent. The Lady Cats hit six three-pointers while the Blue Raiders were just 4-of 20 in three point attempts. LWC made more free throws (26-34) than Bethel shot. Bethel was 11-of-16 from the charity stripe. The Cats had a 56-45 advantage in rebounds and a 38-24 margin in points in the paint.
Coach Chris Nelson commented on the victory. "The first MSC game was everything we thought it would be. It was a hard fought physical game and we told our kids before the game that we must find a way and in the end they did. It was a true team win as we went deep into our bench and we had a lot of players step up and make winning plays. We fought foul trouble in the first half and our younger players were ready when they were called upon. It was exciting to see our team come together and enjoy each other's success. I thought Tasia and Mickey just put our team on their backs late and we found a way to pull it out in overtime."
Bethel returns to play Tuesday night hosting Williams Baptist at 5:30 p.m. Bethel is 121-15 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Lady Cats lead the series between the two programs 3-0.
Game Coverage:
The game can be heard on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com
Dave McCulley and Zach O'Kelley will have the call with the Countdown to Tip-off beginning at 5:30 p.m. CST.
Live radio: https://www.thefarmradio.com/
Live video: http://www.bethelathletics.com/WildcatVision
Live stats: http://www.dakstats.com/websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
Ticket Information
HomeTown Ticketing has been named the Official Ticketing Partner for Bethel University sporting events. This applies for basketball and football only.
All in attendance for basketball and football games will be required to have a ticket for admission.
The partnership will provide convenient online ticketing options for consumers, as well as additional security and reporting capabilities for the Bethel staff to utilize.
"We are pleased to welcome Hometown Ticketing as a corporate partner," said Bethel Associate Athletic Director Brad Chappell. "With the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics, it is important to partner with a company that will completely modernize our ticketing system for Bethel sporting events while supporting social distancing and the need for interpersonal contact."
To obtain tickets, students, fans and supporters are asked to visit www.bethelathletics.com and go to the Tickets tab at the top of the page. The ticket tab will list all home events that tickets are required for. Obtain or purchase the tickets at that tab.
Ticket prices may vary and are notated for each event as it is listed.
For the basketball opener slated for November 3 the comp/student/faculty/staff tickets will be available Saturday, October 31 and Sunday November 1. General Public tickets will be available Monday, November 2 and Game Day, November 3.
Remember to social distance and wear your mask inside the arena at all times. Currently due to COVID-19, there will be no food or drinks allowed inside the arena.
Arena Protocols
Precautions and measures for teams, coaches and support staff
- MSC guidelines are being followed. These guidelines include but are not limited to :
1 - Coach/Player education about how to slow/prevent the spread of COVID-19
2 - Daily screening, pre travel screening
3- Cleaning and sanitizing of materials and facilities used and to be used
4 – Bench maximums
5- Coaching staff and support staff to wear masks
Precautions for fans & staff in arena
Each venue at Bethel University is under MSC & NAIA reduced capacity guidelines
Masks required at all times
- All fans enter gates next to ticket booths (no exceptions) All fans must have a ticket for entrance
- Fans are required to wear face masks at all times at ALL TIMES
- No food or drinks allowed in the arena
- Fans are required to sit six feet apart unless they are within a family group
- Only authorized and pre-game approved personnel allowed on the floor before and after the games
- Only authorized and pre-game approved personnel allowed near benches and press row
- We ask that fans do their best to not intermingle closely with players not in their family group before or after the game
- Selected games will be video streamed with no charge during the fall. There will be a streaming charge for spring contests.
These measures are subject to change with further details to be posted at www.bethelathletics.com
