MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The No. 6 nationally ranked Bethel Lady Wildcats opened post-season play Thursday in the quarterfinals of the SSAC Championships in Montgomery and they did it in style. Bethel hit their first six shots and nine of their first eleven to win in impressive fashion with a 71-49 victory over No. 8 seeded Stillman College.
The Championships are presented by Newk's Eatery and held at the Multiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama.
The No 1 seeded Lady Wildcats moved to 27-4. The Cats have won 19 straight and will make their eighth straight national tournament appearance after capturing the regular season crown for the fifth time in the last seven years. It will be Bethel's eighth straight appearance in the national tournament and mark the 11th time in the last 12 seasons to accomplish that feat.
That winning streak is the second best ever in program history. Bethel won 24 in a row in the 2014-15 season when they finished 32-4 and reached the Elite Eight of the national tournament.
The Lady Cats are 110 -18 all-time against SSAC opponents.
Bethel led 23-10 after one and 42-19 at the half. The Lady Cats shot 45 percent hitting 24-of- 53 attempts from the floor. The Wildcats hit eight three-pointers and dominated the boards at 45-23. Stillman was 14-of-49 from the floor at 28 percent.
Morgan Martin knocked down five three-pointers and led Bethel with 17 points. Her five three's gave her 71 on the year and a program career high of 260. Martin's points moved her to fifth on Bethel's all-time scoring list with 1, 377 points. She moved past former Bethel great Tayla Foster (1368). Ty Willis had a double-double with 14 points 10 rebounds. It was her 10th double-double on the season. Ge'Robinson had 10 points and five boards. Tasia Jones had nine points and five of Bethel's 12 assists.
The Lady Cats had a 32-18 advantage in points in the paint.
Coach Chris Nelson said energy was the key to the victory. "It was very important for us to get off to a good start today and we did just that. Our energy on defense was impressive early and allowed us to get the quick start we wanted. On offense it was great to start 9-of-11 from the field. Our bench energy was great and it was extra nice to have our outstanding band and followers her to support us. Another key factor was our ability to get a nice lead which allowed us to rest some legs for tomorrow. With the game tomorrow at 1 p.m., that is big."
The Cats entered the game 4th in scoring defense at 54.1 points per game. Bethel is 18-1 when an opponent scores 54.1 Bethel is averaging 69.2 points per game and now 19-2 when they score 65 points or more in a game.
Bethel is 3rd in field goal defense at 33 percent and 7th in three-point field goal defense at 27 percent. Stillman hit just three of 12 three-point attempts.
The Lady Wildcats will meet No. 5 seeded William Carey Friday at 1 p.m. The Crusaders beat No. 4 seeded Mobile 53-52 Thursday morning. The Lady Cats and Crusaders met twice during the regular season with Bethel winning both games. Bethel won in Hattiesburg 64-53 and 71-33 in McKenzie. Bethel is 14-0 all-time versus WCU. It will be the first meeting ever between the two in Montgomery.
The game will be aired on WEIO, 100.9 and at: www.thefarmradio.com
The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 1 p.m. with Dave McCulley and Zach O'Kelley.
Live video:
https://ssacsports.tv/
Championship website:
http://www.ssacsports.com/2020-ssac-womens-basketball-championship
