MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The Bethel Wildcats used the first half scoring of Cayden Edmonson (16) , Javonte Ellis (10) and Foday Sankaray (9) to break open their game versus Martin Methodist and lead at halftime 53-29. The Cats would go on to lead by as many as 29 in the second half in route to a decisive 100-81 victory at Crisp Arena Thursday night.
Ellis and Edmonson would share team honors with 19 points each. Edmonson's 19 points gives him 1, 203 career points which places him 21st on the program's all-time scoring list. Chandler Clements came off the Bethel bench with 12 points. The story line of the game however proved to be Bethel's Noah Chatman who finished with a double-double tossing in 18 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Chatman has 31 rebounds in his last two games. Charles Cobb sparked the Wildcats in their first half run with seven points. Cameron Ricks and Mryon McKinney each scored six points. Despite foul trouble, Jarred Walker had a team high five assists.
The Wildcats shot 53 percent in the game and had a 47-32 advantage in rebounds. Adarion Hudson led the Hawks with a game high 26 points.
The Wildcats moved to 16-8 overall and 7-5 in the SSAC. The Cats are 101-29 all-time in Crisp Arena. The Cats are 11-3 at home on the season and 72-42 all-time versus conference opponents in the building. Martin Methodist fell to 12-10 and 5-7.
It was the 30th meeting between the two programs with the Hawks holding a 20-10 lead in the series.
Jeff Britt is in his 20th season with the Wildcats. He is 362-259 at Bethel and 469-213 in his career.
Coach Britt was pleased with his squad's performance. "Our kids played hard and battled from start to finish. It was a physical game and we answered the challenge. Javonte and Cayden gave us the early push along with Charles off the bench. Chandler played well as well as several others. Noah was a warrior with his effort and production. This was a big win in front of a big crowd and we are happy with the victory."
The Wildcats host No. 3 Dalton State Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 1:30 p.m. on WEIO, 100.9 and at: https://www.thefarmradio.com/
Live video on Wildcat Vision:
http://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php
Live stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
