MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Wildcats used a late first half run to grab a 53-38 halftime lead and used that momentum to power their way to a 106-93 upset of No. 21 Loyola Thursday night in McKenzie.
Trying to position themselves to a higher seed in the upcoming SSAC Tournament in Montgomery and avoid playing next Wednesday, the Wildcats took a huge step in doing so with the victory.
The Wildcats moved to 18 -11 overall and 9-8 in the SSAC. Bethel entered the action tied with three other teams in the league at 8-8.
The Cats are 12- 4 at home on the season. They are 102-30 all-time at Crisp and 73-43 versus SSAC opponents in the building. Loyola beat Bethel in New Orleans November 21, 96-91. The series is now tied at 7-7. Bethel has a 4-2 advantage in games played in McKenzie.
The Pack fell to 20-9 and 10-7 in the league.
Loyola had four more field goals and two more made three-pointers but the Wildcats hit 38-of-49 free throws while the Pack was 15-of-29 from the charity stripe. The Wildcats also had a 41-28 advantage in rebounds. The Cats had a 30-11 margin in second chance points.
Four Wildcats finished in double figures with Javonte Ellis leading the Cats with 26 points. Ellis scored 20 second half points. Noah Chatman finished with a double-double at 18 points and 16 rebounds. Cameron Ricks tossed in 18 points while Cayden Edmonson tallied 17 despite playing with foul trouble the entire second half.
Five LU players finished in double digits with Tim Cameron leading the attack with 21 points.
Coach Jeff Britt said his young men played with energy and focus. "Our guys really played hard and with high energy all night. I'm proud of them and how they have performed as of late. Our schedule has been tough and it has helped us to maintain and get better as the season has progressed. We have another tough task Saturday in William Carey."
The Wildcats host WCU Saturday at 2 p.m. It will be Senior Day for the Wildcats with ceremonies taking place just before tip-off.
The Countdown to Tip-off Show with Dave McCulley and Zack O'Kelley airs on WEIO, 100.9 and www.thefarmradio.com immediately following the women's game.
Live video:
http://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php
Live stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
