CATS FALL IN OVERTIME HEARTBREAKER TO TENNESSEE WESLEYAN
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats battled back from an 11-point halftime deficit but came up short in overtime Saturday night, falling 95-93 to Tennessee Wesleyan inside Crisp Arena. The loss drops the Wildcats to 1-1 on the young season.
Bethel showed plenty of fight after a sluggish first half in which the Bulldogs shot 50 percent from the field and drained eight three-pointers to take a 45-34 lead at the break. The Wildcats roared back after halftime, outscoring Tennessee Wesleyan 44-33 in the second frame to force extra time.
In overtime, however, the Bulldogs' hot shooting from deep continued as they hit several key shots to edge out the home team.
Senior guard Chauncey Hughes III led the Wildcats with a stellar all-around performance, scoring 27 points on 7-of-17 shooting while adding eight rebounds and four assists. David Starr followed with 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Ethan Turner chipped in 11 points and eight boards.
Joe Wimberly provided a spark off the bench with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting, and Brayden Nunnally added 10 points and three rebounds.
Despite Bethel's dominance on the glass — owning a 48-34 rebounding advantage and scoring 38 points in the paint — the difference came from long range. Tennessee Wesleyan shot a blistering 53.6% (15-of-28) from beyond the arc, compared to Bethel's still-impressive 44.4% (8-of-18).
The Bulldogs were led by Reshaun Hampton's 29 points, including five triples, and Charles Neverdon's near-perfect night from deep, going 9-of-10 from three-point range for 27 points.
Free throws also proved costly for Bethel, as Tennessee Wesleyan went to the line more frequently (26 attempts) despite shooting just 38.5%. The Wildcats hit 78.9% (15-of-19) from the stripe but couldn't capitalize late.
Bethel trailed 78-70 with under five minutes left in regulation before Hughes and Starr combined for a 10-2 run to tie the game and send it into overtime. In the extra period, the teams traded baskets, but a late Bulldog three-pointer with under 30 seconds remaining sealed the outcome.
The Wildcats will look to regroup as they travel to Blue Mountain Monday night.