Lady Wildcats Can’t Hold Lead in Loss to Cumberland

MCKENZIE, Tenn. –Scoring binges were the story lines throughout the afternoon in the game between the Bethel Lady Wildcats and the visiting Phoenix of Cumberland University Saturday. In the end, it was Cumberland outscoring Bethel 26-15 in the fourth quarter enroute to an 82-79 victory over the Wildcats. There were twelve lead changes in the game.

After the Phoenix outscored Bethel 20-13 in the second stanza, Bethel trailed 40-34 at the half. Bethel used a 21-3 run in the third to take a 64-56 margin at the end of three. The Lady Wildcats led much of the quarter and had a 77-72 lead late in the game. The Phoenix outscored Bethel 8-2 in the last few minutes to win.

Keely Morrow came off the bench to lead Bethel in scoring with a season high 23 points. She also had a team high 10 rebounds. Ryann Roberts followed with 17 points while Millie Bryant had 14 tallies. Mickey Head finished in double figures with 12 points.

Lindsey Freeman led CU with 17 points. Tierra David had 12 points and 10 boards. Tyra Johnson finished with 15 points. Jana Claire Swafford (14) and Devon Burns (11) combined for 25 bench points for CU. The Phoenix bench outscored the Bethel reserves 36-25. Cumberland had a 37 -29 advantage in rebounds.

Bethel dropped to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the MSC. Cumberland moved to 4-3 and 1-1.

Coach Chris Nelson commented on the postgame radio interview. "Give Cumberland a lot of credit. They are a good team, and we just couldn't close the game out. Turnovers hurt us at the end and we have to get more production from our four spot. We had some foul trouble which played a part in the loss as well. This one will sting as we have some time off until we play again but we feel we still have a good squad, and we will work hard to get ready for Georgetown in early December." 

The Lady Wildcats return to action December 2 at Georgetown will tip-off slated for 5 p.m. CST.

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