MCKENZIE, Tenn. – After their thrilling 71-70 overtime road victory Saturday at Lindsey Wilson, the No. 14 Bethel Lady Wildcats returned home Tuesday night hosting the Williams Baptist Lady Eagles from Walnut Ridge, Arkansas. Bethel continued their home court dominance moving to 122-15 all-time in the building with a 101-73 victory over the visiting Eagles.
The Lady Cats improved to 4-1 on the season while WBU dropped to 1-2.
Bethel placed five in double figures with freshman Ever Walker leading the offensive attack with 25 points and five assists. Another freshman, Oliva Rinehart popped in 16 points and grabbed four boards. Ashton Hulme followed with 15 points and seven rebounds. Mickey Head had her second straight double-double scoring 14 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. She came within one block of having a triple double. Former Bethel star Moo Moo Williams was the last Lady Wildcat to do pull off the rarity. Bethel received a huge pick-up in the game with Anaya Patterson coming off the bench and hitting four three-pointers. She finished with 12 points and matching her career high. Tasia Bland led the visiting Eagles with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Bethel had a seven point lead (45-38) lead at the half and outscored WBU 56-35 in the second half. The Lady Wildcats hit a season high 16 three-pointers and shot 47 percent (35-74) from the field. WBU shot 35 percent hitting 25-of- 70 shots from the floor.
Bethel had a 44-30 rebound margin.
Coach Chris Nelson was pleased but said his team can still improve. "We are always happy to get a huge win but we have to be better in certain areas. We have to credit Williams Baptist for coming in here and playing with fire like that did in the first half. We had a hard time of keeping them in front of us and we gave up to many first half points. We made some adjustments for the second half and did a better job. We were very pleased with the way Anaya came in off the bench and felt like that really freed Ever up in transition and allowed her to get in the paint to create for her and her teammates. Mickey was spectacular tonight doing a little a bit of everything and she continues to be a leader for us. She does a great job of protecting the paint and is really rebounding the ball the way we have been asking her to do. Ashton continues to just clock in and do her job and anything we ask of her. Olivia is so versatile playing numerous positions and you can tell she is starting to catch her groove. We have a lot of new pieces and we will continue to mesh them and see them grow during the year." Nelson concluded, "We want to thank our fans for their support and wish all a Happy Thanksgiving."
Bethel returns to action Monday hosting Missouri Baptist at 5:30 p.m.
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 p.m. 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 is 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 provides convenient online ticketing options for consumers, as well as additional security and reporting capabilities for the Bethel staff to utilize.
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.
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
