Wildcats Roll Past Southeastern Baptist in Season Opener

MCKENZIE, Tenn. — The Bethel University Wildcats opened their 2025–26 men's basketball season in convincing fashion Friday night, rolling to an 87–58 victory over Southeastern Baptist at Crisp Arena. The game the second game of the first night of the Chick-Fil-A Classic. UT Southern defeated Tennessee Wesleyan in the earlier game.

The Wildcats wasted little time taking control, jumping out to a 46–30 halftime lead behind a balanced offensive attack and stifling defense that forced 14 Southeastern turnovers. Bethel dominated the glass with a 50–30 rebounding advantage and saw 10 different players score in an overall team performance that showed both energy and depth.

Sophomore quard  Joe Wimberly was the engine that kept the Wildcats humming, filling the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists, two steals, and a block in just 21 minutes. Newcomer Garrett Hayden provided a spark off the bench with 11 points on perfect 3-for-3 shooting from beyond the arc, while Ethan Turner controlled the paint with nine points and five rebounds.

Chauncey Hughes III and Isiah Darden each chipped in six and eight points respectively, helping Bethel's starters set an early tone before the bench exploded for 60 points on the night. Taylor Stovall added six points and five rebounds, while Russell Williams and Jacob Bowles combined for nine more off the bench.

Defensively, the Wildcats swarmed Southeastern Baptist's offense, holding them to just 32.7% shooting and 4-for-16 from three-point range. Bethel also outscored the Chargers 32–20 in the paint and tallied 17 points off turnovers.

Southeastern Baptist's Robinson led all scorers with 15 points, while Black added 14 in the loss.

The win gives Bethel (1–0) an ideal start to its campaign as it looks to build momentum heading into a challenging early-season stretch.

The Wildcats face Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday in day two of the classic.

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