MCKENZIE, Tenn. – MJ Simmons scored 21 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter, as No. 4 Bethel defeated No. 20 College of the Ozarks 74–58 Friday afternoon in the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Classic at Crisp Arena.
The Lady Wildcats improved to 2–0, while College of the Ozarks fell to 1–1.
Bethel led from start to finish, building a 21-point halftime advantage before turning back a second-half push by the Lady Bobcats. Four Lady Wildcats finished in double figures as Bethel completed a sweep of its two games in the classic.
Simmons went 7-of-12 from the floor and added seven rebounds and three assists. Micah Hart followed with 16 points, four rebounds and two steals. Kylie Reynolds and Adalyn Koelling each scored 10 points, with Koelling hitting four of her five shots in just 12 minutes off the bench.
Mikee Buchanan contributed nine points and a team-high eight rebounds. Kylee Alexander knocked down two three-pointers for six points, while Hallie Turner collected six rebounds and handed out four assists without a turnover.
The Lady Wildcats opened with eight unanswered points and held College of the Ozarks to 3-of-16 shooting in the first quarter to establish a 19–10 lead.
Bethel widened the margin in the second period, outscoring the visitors 24–12 to take a 43–22 advantage into halftime. Buchanan scored seven points in the quarter, while Hart and Alexander added six apiece. The Lady Wildcats connected on four three-pointers in the period.
College of the Ozarks responded with a 21–10 third quarter, cutting Bethel's lead to 53–43 entering the final 10 minutes.
Simmons helped the Lady Wildcats regain control. She opened the fourth quarter with a three-point play and scored eight of Bethel's first 10 points in the period. Her putback with 4:34 remaining stretched the lead to 67–48, giving Bethel firm command down the stretch.
The Lady Wildcats shot 45.2 percent from the field, made seven three-pointers and went 11-of-14 at the free-throw line. Bethel held College of the Ozarks to 34.5 percent shooting, including 3-of-15 from beyond the arc.
Bethel also held a 35–31 rebounding advantage and outscored the Lady Bobcats 16–4 in second-chance points. Koelling and Alexander helped give the Lady Wildcats a 16–1 edge in bench scoring.
Logan Jones led College of the Ozarks with 19 points. Susanna Moran recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds, Ashlen Garrett added 14 points, and Abigail McBride finished with 10.
The Lady Cats return to action Tuesday hosting UT Southern at 5:30 p.m.