MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel University Lady Wildcats opened their 2020-21 basketball season Tuesday night hosting the Blue Mountain Toppers in Crisp Arena. The Lady Cats opened in style with a convincing 83-38 win over the Toppers. It was Bethel's 120th all-time win in the Arena. They are 120-15 in the building.
It was 30th meeting between the two programs with Bethel holding a commanding 29-1 advantage in the series. The Lady Wildcats have won 16 in a row over the Toppers.
Behind Ashton Hulme's six early points and a three-pointer by Millie Bryant, Bethel jumped to a quick 9-0 lead. After a BMC time-out the Toppers would pull to within four at 9-5 but the Lady Wildcats used a 15-2 run to lead at the end of one, 24-7. Freshman Ever Walker scored 11 first half points while Hulme ended the half with 14. The Lady Cats led 45-18 at the break.
Bethel gradually padded their lead and would never face a serious challenge from the visitors from the Magnolia State in the second half.
Bethel shot 53 percent (28-64) from the floor. They connected on 11-of-22 shots from behind the three-point mark. The Cats knocked down 16-of-19 free throw attempts. They forced BMC into 16 turnovers while committing only six in the game. BU won the battle of the boards at 44-27. BMC shot just 20 percent (12-59) from the field and was just 5-of-27 in three-point attempts.
Walker had quite a debut leading all scorers with 20 points. Hulme finished with 14 while Bryant had 11 points. Twelve different Lady Cats scored in the opener. Kandice Ricks led the Toppers with 10 tallies.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "We are pleased with tonight's performance and outcome. We got off to a good start and really shared the basketball well. Our experience really shows but we have a strong freshman class that has a chance to be special if they continue to work and mature. I really like where our chemistry is early on and the way they cheer for each other's success. It was good for our players and fans to sense some normalcy tonight and we look forward to game two."
The Lady Wildcats return to action Saturday hosting Brescia at 2 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. 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
