MCKENZIE, Tenn. –After two prior games between the two had been postponed due to Covid-19 protocols the Bethel Lady Wildcats and the Cumberland University Phoenix finally played late Thursday afternoon in McKenzie. The Lady Wildcats broke back into the win column at Crisp Arena with a hard fought 65-54 win over the visitors from Lebanon. Bethel moved to 10-10 overall and 5-8 in the MSC. Cumberland lost their ninth in a row and dropped to 2-10 and 1-10.
The Lady Wildcats are 126-19 all-time in Crisp. It was the 16th time the programs have met with Bethel holding an 11- 5 advantage in the series. The Lady Cats are 7- 2 in McKenzie versus Cumberland.
Bethel led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter and led at halftime 33-28. Cumberland battled back and cut the Bethel margin to 48-45 at the end of three. The Phoenix trailed 48-47 with seven minutes left but big baskets by Ashton Hulme, Mickey Head and Millie Bryant gave Bethel a cushion that allowed them to up their lead and they would go on to win by 11.
Bryant finished with a game high 20 points. She also grabbed seven rebounds. Head had 14 points and a game high nine rebounds. Hulme had 13 points and five boards.
Lindsey Freeman led Cumberland with 15 points.
Bethel was 23-of-60 from the floor at 38 percent. The Wildcats were 7-of-31 from three point range. Cumberland was 16-of-47 from the field at 34 percent. They connected on seven of 22 three point attempts. The Wildcats had a 38-28 advantage on the boards and pulled down 16 offensive boards.
Bethel had a 37-16 margin in points in the paint.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "Both teams played hard and we had to earn this game just like we thought we would. Cumberland is better than their record indicates. Our board work was a big key and I am proud of our effort. Millie plays so hard and makes others around her better. Mickey had an excellent game for the most part and Ashton really was a difference especially in the second half. Another tough game faces us with a great Lindsey Wilson team coming in here Thursday and we will have to be ready."
The Lady Cats jump back into league action as they host No. 17 Lindsey Wilson at 5:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. Bethel edged LWC 71-70 in overtime in November in Columbia.
Catch the action on 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com. The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 5 p.m.
Fans can also watch the game on Wildcat Vision at www.bethelathletics.com. Live video:
https://www.bethelathletics.com/f/WildcatVision.php
Live stats:
http://www.dakstats.com/Websync/Pages/Webcasts.aspx?association=10
