Short Handed Lady Cats Battle but Fall at Cumberlands

WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The Bethel Lady Wildcats traveled to Williamsburg, Kentucky Tuesday to face the Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands. The game was originally to take place on January 8 but was postponed.  The game was then rescheduled for Monday but due to weather it was moved to Tuesday.

The short -handed Cats fell to 9-9 and 3-7 with a tough hard fought 77-71 loss to the Patriots. Bethel dropped to 0-5 in road action on the season. UC moved to 11-6 and 5-4. Bethel played without starter Keely Morrow and key reserve Ashton Hulme.  Mickey Head missed the first quarter of the game.

CU led 22-18 at the end of one and had a 45-38 margin at the half. The Cats pulled to within one at 58-57 at the end of the third stanza. The Cats made a nice run and trailed 70-68 with three minutes left but the Pats held on for the six-point win.

Ryann Roberts led Bethel with a game high 22 points. Millie Bryant tossed in 15 while Jena Foust finished with 13 points. Kassie Monday led the Patriots with 21 points.

Bethel shot 41 percent from the floor and hit just 5-of-22 three-point attempts. The Cats hit 14-of 18 free throw tries. 

UC shot 47 percent and connected on 12-of-21 three-point attempts. The Pats knocked down 15 free throws on 25 tries.

UC had a 33-32 advantage in rebounds.

Coach Chris Nelson said despite the adversity his team continues to battle. "This game was your typical MSC road game. We have fought different variables all year, but our squad continues to battle no matter what has been thrown at them. We were without Keely and Ashton, and we did not find out Mickey was available to play until the second period.  Cumberlands shot the ball extremely well in the first half hitting eight of their first 10 three-point attempts.  We fought just to keep our heads above water." Nelson added, "We have to do a better job on the defensive end and show more urgency in big stop situations. We simply have to finish out possessions and finish out games." Nelson concluded, "We are on the fine line of success and failure, so we have to stay positive and move forward. We still have huge opportunities down the stretch."    

The Cats return home for two conference games later this week.

Bethel takes on No. 3 Campbellsville Thursday at 6 p.m. They play host to Georgetown (RV) Saturday at 2 p.m.

Live stats:

https://bethelathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2021-22/boxscores/20220120_nig9.xml

Live video:

https://bethelathletics.com/WildcatStreaming

Live audio:

https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WEIO

Fans are reminded tickets for all basketball games at Crisp Arena must be purchased in advance. This will be the norm the remainder of the season.

Fans can purchase tickets with their credit cards only.

Tickets:

https://bethel.prestosports.com/bethel-box-office

It is suggested fans wear a mask and practice social distancing outside their family group. These suggestions are for the safety of each and to assure our student-athletes can complete their seasons in a healthy environment.