Wildcats Fall in Exhibition at Western Kentucky
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — In their first and only exhibition of the 2025–26 season, the Bethel Wildcats battled but ultimately fell 97–67 to NCAA Division I Western Kentucky Tuesday night inside E.A. Diddle Arena. The matchup offered Bethel a valuable early-season test against a Hilltoppers squad picked near the top of Conference USA, and the home team's size, depth, and physicality proved decisive.
Western Kentucky's Grant Newell led all scorers with 16 points, knocking down three triples and going 5-for-6 at the free-throw line. WKU as a team hit 12 threes and out-rebounded Bethel 47–39, using multiple extended runs to build separation in both halves.
Bethel, however, showed promising stretches—particularly from its bench, which scored 37 of the Wildcats' 67 points.
Bright Spots for the Wildcats
Alonzo Rhodes Jr. provided an early spark off the bench, scoring 11 points while going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. David Starr added 10 points and five rebounds, giving Bethel an offensive lift during the second half.
Isiah Darden also chipped in nine points and a team-high five rebounds, while Joe Wimberly filled the stat sheet with seven points, four steals, and three assists—highlighting Bethel's active defensive pressure.
The Wildcats found improved rhythm after halftime, shooting 37.5% in the second period and hitting all five of their made three-pointers after the break. Ethan Turner added six points and five rebounds, and Russell Williams contributed six points with a pair of threes.
WKU Pulls Away
Western Kentucky controlled the tempo early, using a barrage of threes from Newell and Kade Unseld—who finished with 15 points—to open up a 44–26 halftime lead. The Hilltoppers extended the margin in the second half behind strong play from Teagan Moore (15 points) and Armelo Boone (12 points).
The Hilltoppers shot 44% from deep and forced 18 Bethel turnovers, converting them into 28 points on the other end.
A Useful Measuring Stick
Despite the loss, the exhibition offered Bethel a chance to test lineups, gain experience against elite size, and build chemistry before returning to NAIA competition.
The Cats return home for the Centennial Classic this weekend. The Lady Cats will host the Bethel Invite.
Friday: Nov 21st
Women-2:00 pm- Campbellsville vs. Texas San Antonio A&M
Men- 4:00 pm- Georgetown vs. LSU-A
Women- 6:00 pm- Bethel vs. Haskell Indian Nations
Men- 8:00 pm- Florida College vs. Bethel
Saturday: Nov 22nd
Women- 12 noon- Haskell Indian Nations v. Campbellsville
Men- 2:00 pm- Georgetown vs. Florida College
Women-4:00 pm- Texas San Antonio A&M v. Bethel
Men- 6:pm-Bethel vs. LSU-A