Cats Upset No. 3 Patriots Thursday in League Opener

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats opened Mid-South Conference play Thursday night hosting No. 3 Cumberlands (KY).

The Wildcats jumped out to a 13-1 lead only to see the Patriots battle back to trail Bethel 34-31 at the half.

 The second half was an all-out tussle. The visitors from the Commonwealth battled back and grabbed a five-point lead with 11:28 remaining in the game. The Wildcats kept their composure and struck back to go up by five several minutes later and never trailed again.

Bethel went on to grab the upset with an 80-69 victory.

Bethel's D J Starr came off the bench to score 20 points and collect seven rebounds. Chauncey Hughes III battled foul trouble but finished with 16 points. He was clutch down the stretch, hitting nine of ten free throw attempts. Ethan Turner had a game high ten rebounds while Brayden Nunnally pitched in with nine points and five boards.

Bethel's bench was a huge factor with a 41-17 margin. Alonzo Rhodes II had seven points and five rebounds. Jacquarium Collum had two key second half baskets while Taylor Stovall had ten tallies off the bench.

Bethel won the battle of the boards with a 41-32 advantage. The Cat defense was superb, holding the Pats 29 points off their season average per game. The Wildcats shot 85 percent from the free throw line hitting 29-of-34 attempts.

Andrew McConnell led the Patriots with 17 points.

Bethel improved to 15-2 while the Pats dropped to 15-2. The Cats are 9-1 in the friendly confines of Crisp Arena.

Coach Jeff Britt spoke about his team and the win. "I am so proud of these guys. They work hard and their desire to compete is fun to watch and coach. We beat one of the best teams in the nation and I am so pleased for them. We will enjoy this foe a few hours, but we have another great team coming in here Saturday and we will have to play well."   

The Wildcats host No. 16 Georgetown Saturday at 3 p.m. It will be Pepsi Mid-America / Dr. Pepper Day. There will be a number of giveaways and a special presentation during halftime of the women's game.