CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – The No. 14 Bethel Lady Wildcats lost their third straight with a 70-43 loss at No. 4 Campbellsville Monday afternoon. Bethel fell to 5-4 and 2-2 in the Mid-South Conference. The Lady Tigers improved to 5-0 and 1-0.
The loss marks the longest losing streak for the Lady Wildcats since 2013.
Both squads got off to a slow start with a low scoring first quarter. Campbellsville used a 9-0 run at one time in the quarter to pull away and lead 13-5 at the end of one. The second quarter found each team continue to struggle from the field. Several three-pointers and 18 first half Bethel turnovers enabled the Tigers however to lead at the half 33-16. Bethel shot 28 percent from the floor hitting just 5-of 18 attempts. Campbellsville shot just 29 percent (10-34) from the field. CU connected on five three's while Bethel hit 1-of-6 from outside. Highlighting Bethel's first half performance included Ever Walker with seven points and Mickey Head with eight rebounds and four blocks.
The second half saw CU maintain a comfortable margin as they led 49-31 at the end of three. The Lady Tigers held Bethel to a season low (43) in capturing their sixth straight win in the series. Bethel remains winless in Campbellsville at 0-5.
Bethel's undoing in the game came in turnovers as they committed a season high 31. The Lady Cats shot 31 (16-52) percent in the game. Bethel hit six three's and finished 5-of-8 from the free throw line. The Cats did outrebound the Tigers 43-35. Anya Patterson led Bethel in scoring with nine points. Mickey Head had a game high 13 rebounds and five blocks.
Campbellsville shot 35 (22-63) percent from the floor. The Tigers connected on 10 three's and were 16-of-18 from the free throw line. Three Lady Tigers finished in double figures with the MSC Player of the Week Sammy Rogers leading her team with 14 points. The 70 points were a season low for Campbellsville.
Coach Chris Nelson expressed his frustration about the game. "Today was highly frustrating for our basketball team but that is what Campbellsville does. They play hard and get after you on defense. They force you to have to make a play or a turnover and unfortunately we chose to make 31 turnovers. I think Mickey (Head) and Millie (Bryant) played hard for our team and Aaliyah (Brown) was a bright spot for us off the bench. Our young people are still figuring out how to play hard and to play with toughness. Collegiate basketball is hard and especially in the MSC with great teams and great coaches. We knew the transition this year would be a challenge after losing key players, but it is opportunity for others to step up. Our team has gone through a lot this early season, but we have been blessed to squeeze nine games in this first semester. We want to thank our entire athletic department and our league for helping these players reach the court."
The Lady Cats return to action December 29 at Faulkner. They return home on the 31st playing host to MSC opponent Life University at noon. Watch for Game Notes about those games later at: www.bethelathletics.com
