MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Lady Wildcats and the Freed-Hardeman Lady Lions met for the 31st time Thursday night and despite FHU leading the series 23-7 going into the game it was a recent trend which continued seeing Bethel win for the 3rd time in the last four meetings.
The No. 14 Lady Wildcats won 60-57 to move to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the MSC. Freed (RV) dropped their third straight and fell to 5-3 and 0-3. Bethel continued their winning ways in the building moving to 123 -15 all-time in Crisp. Bethel is 7-8 versus FHU in games played in McKenzie.
Bethel's Mickey Head scored 10 of her 12 points in the first quarter and that effort propelled the Lady Wildcats to an 18-13 lead after the first ten minutes. Bethel used balanced scoring in the second quarter and led 37-28 at the half. Bethel extended the lead to 11 at 39-28 in the third but FHU chipped away and at the end of three Bethel led by only five at 47-42. Behind Anya Patterson Bethel moved out to a 57-42 lead with seven minutes left in the fourth but again the Lions made a run outscoring Bethel 15-3 to pull with three. Head blocked a three-point attempt by FHU in the last few seconds and the Lady Cats hung on for the victory. It was Head's 18th block of the year.
Bethel shot 35 percent from the floor hitting 23-of-65 shots. The Lady Wildcats struggled from outside hitting just 7-of-37 three point attempts. FHU shot just 32 percent connecting on 18-of-56 shots and were just 4-of-22 in three-point tries. Freed won the battle of the boards at 37-25 but committed 20 turnovers. Bethel had a 17-0 advantage in points off turnovers. Bethel's bench was a key as well with a 22-14 margin.
Ever Walker led Bethel with 15 points. Head and Patterson finished with 12 each. Head also grabbed eight rebounds. Millie Bryant led Bethel with eight boards. Hannah Hughes led FHU with 14 points. Caroline Chambers followed with 13 tallies but Bethel held her to just two in the second half.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "Tonight was a true rival and MSC game. We were very happy to find a way to win but have numerous things we can work on. Mickey played tremendous on the defensive end and showed her toughness by playing the entire game. We are youthful in spots but growing and learning. FHU did a great job of battling and getting back in the game and then we battled and stretched the lead back out midway through the fourth. During that stretch we did not complete the full possession on defense and didn't execute the way we typically do on the offensive end. I was proud however on how our kids stepped up and made plays that we needed in order to secure the win."
The Lady Wildcats remain at home hosting Upike Saturday at 1:30 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 1 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
