MCKENZIE, Tenn. –In the first of three games versus nationally ranked teams the Bethel Lady Wildcats fell in heartbreaking fashion 78-76 to No.16 Lindsey Wilson Monday night in Crisp Arena. Bethel dropped to 11-12 and 6-10 in the MSC. The Blue Raiders moved to 17-4 and 12-4.
The Lady Cats used a 21-2 run in the second quarter to lead 41-22. The teams had been tied at 20 at the end of the first quarter. Bethel maintained a double digit margin and led 46-34 at the half. LWC cut into the lead and trailed the Lady Cats 64-56 after three. It appeared Bethel was in good shape, leading 67-58 with less than three minutes but the Blue Raiders rallied behind 14 points by the reigning MSC Player of the Year Reagan Turner. Turner's two free throws with three seconds proved to be the difference. Bethel's last second three-point attempt slid off the rim at the buzzer.
Both squads shot the ball well. The Blue Raiders hit 14 three's while Bethel popped in 11 on the night. Both teams shot 46 percent from the floor. LWC was 6-of-6 from the foul line with Turner hitting four of those in the fourth stanza. Bethel was 19-of-25 from the line. LWC had 22 assists while the Lady Cats had 15 dimes in the game.
Bethel's Anya Patterson nailed six three-pointers and tied Mickey Head with 23 points. It was a career high for Patterson. Millie Bryant was solid as always with 13 points. Madison Henegar had 10 points.
Turner finished with a game high and career high 36 points. Lindsey Wilson's Sydnie Hall had six three-pointers and had 23 points in the game.
The Lady Wildcats are 8-6 at home this year and dropped to 127-21 all-time in Crisp Arena. The six home losses this season are the most suffered by the Lady Cats in one year since moving into the new arena. Lindsey Wilson is 6-3 on the road this season. Bethel defeated the Blue Raiders 71-70 in overtime earlier in the year in Columbia.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "We played well tonight and good enough to win. A few mistakes hurt us there at end and I really feel bad for our kids. Lindsey is an outstanding team and we gave ourselves a chance with our effort and I am proud of that. It is a fine line between winning and losing but we will keep battling and hopefully start winning these type games."
Bethel travels to Thomas More Thursday for another MSC match-up. Tip-off in Crestview Hills, Kentucky is slated for 4:30 p.m. CST.
Visiting fans cannot attend the game.
Live video: https://team1sports.com/thomasmore/
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