Cats Beat Pioneers
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats played host to the Crowley's Ridge Pioneers Thursday morning. The Cats were looking to bounce back after a Saturday loss to Cumberland University. The Cats did just that by scoring a season high 102 points and winning 102-62. It was School Day with 300 McKenzie Middle School youngsters in attendance. The Cats improved to 4-1 while CRC fell to 0-8.
It was the 7th meeting between the two programs with Bethel now holding a 7-0 lead in the series. Bethel moved to 114-35 all-time in Crisp.
Bethel led 49-29 at the half. The Wildcats outscored the Pioneers 19-3 to begin the second half and never looked back winning by forty.
Four Wildcats finished in double figures with Hayden Thomas leading the Cats with 14. Jamarius Mayberry and Jon Brown contributed with 12 points each. Isaac Rankhorn came off the bench popping in 11 points. Thirteen different Wildcats scored in the game. Mayberry pulled down a game high 10 rebounds. Jarred Walker and Jose Nazario each had six assists for the Wildcats.
Braxton Cousins led CRC with a game high 23 points.
Bethel's bench outscored the Pioneer reserves 50-15. Bethel owned the boards with a 50-23 advantage.
The Cats shot a season high 56 percent hitting 39-of-69 shots from the field. Bethel was 13-of-29 from behind the three-point arc at 44 percent.
Coach Jeff Britt was pleased with the win. "We played well and had a chance to play a lot of people today. Hayden got the start with Drew (Thomas) out. He made the best of it with his ability to knock down the shots. The bench also gave us a big lift and that will be important down the road. All in all, it was a good effort with good results. We will give them a few days off and bring them back in Friday night and prepare for Saturday. We thank the Middle School students and Lauren Tate of our Education department for making it an even more special day. We also wish our fans a Happy Thanksgiving."
Bethel returns home Saturday to host Williams Baptist at 4 p.m.
Media coverage & Links:
Live stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/boxscores/20211118_sg8k.xml
Live video:
https://bethelathletics.com/WildcatStreaming
Live radio: WEIO, 1009. The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 10:30 a.m.
https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WEIO
Fans are reminded tickets for all basketball games at Crisp Arena must be purchased in advance. This will be the norm the remainder of the season.
Fans can purchase tickets with their credit cards only.
Tickets:
https://bethel.prestosports.com/bethel-box-office
It is suggested fans wear a mask and practice social distancing outside their family group. These suggestions are for the safety of each and to assure our student-athletes can complete their seasons in a healthy environment.
