MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Lady Wildcats returned home Thursday tipping off a six game home stand beginning with MSC foe No. 9 Shawnee State. The Lady Cats enjoyed the return home with a 72-68 upset of the Bears.
Bethel improved to 9-7 overall and 4-5 in the MSC. SSU fell to 11-3 and 5-3.
Bethel trailed by ten in the first half and 35-26 at halftime.
After trailing by as many as 12 the Lady Cats battled back to take a 48-47 lead in the third quarter. The Lady Bears scored the last five points of the stanza and led 52-48 at the end of three.
The fourth quarter saw both squads exchange the lead several times. Millie Bryant hit a huge three to give Bethel a 70-67 margin with a one minute left. Prior to that basket, Mickey Head had hit three crucial baskets for Bethel. Ever Walker sealed the deal with two late clutch free throws to give Bethel the upset. Bethel has never lost to SSU and holds 3-0 advantage in the series.
Head led Bethel with 19 points. Head pulled down 10 rebounds giving her a fifth double-double on the season. Walker had 18 points, 13 of those coming in the second half. The freshman also dished a game high five assists. Bryant had 13 points. Eleven of Bryant's tallies came in the second half. The senior from Dresden also pulled down five rebounds. Ashton Hulme and Jani Crawford finished with nine points and each had huge fourth quarter baskets.
SSU's Brandie Snow led the Bears with 18 points. Snow recorded her fourth double-double with 11 rebounds.
SSU shot 39 percent (23-64) from the floor. They hit six three's and were 16-of-25 from the free throw line. The Bears had a 34-32 margin in rebounds. SSU had a 29-11 advantage in points off the bench.
Bethel shot 39 percent (27-68) from the field. The Lady Cats hit 11 three's, seven of those coming in the second half.
Coach Chris Nelson was excited for his team. "Tonight was huge for this young team. They have stayed locked in, especially after a tough road swing last week. Our kids came out and battled but found themselves struggling to get a bucket there in the 2nd quarter. However it did not affect our defensive effort and we finally were able to get it going on offense in the 2nd half. We really challenged our guard play at half time and they responded in an outstanding manner. Jani came out and hit a big bucket for us getting to the rim and then Ever just got us in a flow offensively. That effort allowed Millie to step up and hit some big shots. Mickey was sensational down the stretch, hitting six straight points and making them in crucial situations. These ladies deserved this victory and we will enjoy it tonight before getting ready for another test on Saturday."
The Lady Wildcats play host to No. 4 Thomas More Saturday with tip-off at 1:30 p.m. TMU is 14-0 and 9-0 in the MSC. The Saints used a late surge Thursday in Henderson to edge Freed-Hardeman 62-59.
Live video:
https://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php
Live stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
Live audio:
https://www.thefarmradio.com/
Ticket Information
HomeTown Ticketing has been named 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 will provide 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
