MCKENZIE, Tenn. – In the first of eight straight home games, the Bethel Wildcats started their home stand off on the right foot with a 97-81 win over visiting Crowley's Ridge Monday night in Crisp Arena. The Cats moved to 6-6 with the win. CRC dropped to 6-12. It was the second victory of the season for the Wildcats over the Pioneers. Bethel is 5-0 all-time versus Crowley's Ridge.
Chandler Clements pumped in 19 first half points and propelled the Wildcats to a 51-39 margin at the break. The Wildcats shot 46 percent from the floor in the half. Five three-pointers and a 26-18 rebound advantage were two keys for the Wildcats.
The Wildcats maintained their lead in the second half and eventually pulled away to win by sixteen.
The Wildcats shot 43 percent hitting 37-of 85 shots from the floor. Bethel hit six three-pointers and was 17-of-22 from the free throw line. The Wildcats had a commanding 48-28 margin in rebounds.
CRC was 29-of-61 from the field at 47 percent. The Pioneers connected on seven three's and hit 16-of-20 free throw attempts.
The Wildcats had a 26-5 advantage in second chance points. Bethel had a 65-45 margin in points in the paint.
Clements led Bethel with 25 points. Balance scoring was a huge factor for the Wildcats. Jamarius Mayberry finished with 18 points. Jarred Walker scored 13 points while Myron McKinney contributed 1ith 10 points. Isaac Rankhorn had a team high nine rebounds. Braeden Williams led CRC with 20 points.
Coach Jeff Britt commented, "Crowley's Ridge is a really good team. They were in the national tournament last season and may go back again this season. We need to continue to improve and get better each day."
The Wildcats jump back into MSC action Thursday night hosting Shawnee State at 8 p.m. in Crisp. SSU is 12-2 overall and 8-2 in league play. Bethel is 1-6 in the MSC.
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