Box Score MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The No. 4 Bethel Lady Wildcats overcame a slow start with a strong second quarter and a dominant defensive effort in the third to defeat (RV) Williams Baptist 72–54 Thursday afternoon in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Classic at Crisp Arena.
Bethel opened the season at 1–0, while the Lady Eagles fell to 0–2.
Grace Billington led the Lady Wildcats with 15 points and four rebounds off the bench. Billington connected on three of five attempts from beyond the arc and was perfect on six free throws. MJ Simmons added 11 points and five rebounds, while Mikee Buchanan finished with 10 points and a team-high nine boards.
Williams Baptist held a 16–9 advantage after the opening quarter as Bethel struggled to find its shooting touch, making just two of 21 attempts from the field.
The Lady Wildcats responded with a 25-point second quarter, connecting on 10 of 19 shots, including five of eight from three-point range. Buchanan scored seven points in the period, while Kylie Reynolds and Billington each knocked down two three-pointers to help Bethel take a 34–30 halftime lead.
Bethel's defense took control after intermission. The Lady Wildcats forced 13 turnovers and limited Williams Baptist to six points in the third quarter, outscoring the visitors 20–6 to build a 54–36 advantage. Simmons provided nine points in the period.
The teams each scored 18 points in the final quarter as Bethel secured the season-opening victory.
Micah Hart contributed seven points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Reynolds finished with nine points, all on three-pointers, while Adalyn Koelling added eight rebounds and three steals. Kylee Alexander chipped in five points and five rebounds.
Bethel collected 16 steals and forced 29 turnovers, converting those miscues into 25 points. The Lady Wildcats also held a 46–36 rebounding advantage, including 17 offensive boards, and received 31 points from their bench.
Despite shooting 29 percent from the field, Bethel made eight three-pointers and went 24-of-31 at the free-throw line.
Alice Conrad paced Williams Baptist with 15 points and eight rebounds. Chelsea Hamilton added 11 points, while Sadie Meyer scored 10. The Lady Eagles shot 29.9 percent from the floor and finished nine-of-31 from three-point range.
Bethel takes on   College of the Ozarks   Friday at 2 p.m. The No.20 Bobcats upset No. 8 Campbellsville 84-79 earlier in the day.