Kalynn Howard Sparks Lady Cats to Comeback win over Georgetown

MCKENZIE, Tenn. - The Bethel Lady Wildcats ended their three game losing streak with a home court victory over the Georgetown Tigers Saturday afternoon. The Lady Wildcats rallied in the fourth quarter to take the 68-59 win.

During the first quarter, the Tigers took a 16-10 lead. Georgetown's Erin Toller had seven points in the first ten minutes. Alyia Lee had six of Bethel's ten points. Madison Hart and Kyla Taylor each had two points.

The Lady Wildcats kept it close in the second quarter trailing by only two points at halftime (24-22). Alayna Anderson had five points. Keely Morrow had four points. Anya Patterson had two points and Hart tacked on one from the free throw line.

The Tigers maintained their lead behind the scoring of Toller who had five of the eight GC points. Izzy Lamparty had three points.

Bethel's Kalynn Howard had seven points in the third quarter. Morrow had four points for the Lady Cats.who trailed 44-41 after three. Toller chalked up 12 points for the Tigers.

Bethel's Alayna Anderson tied the game at 52-52 with five minutes left in the fourth with a shot from the free throw line. The Lady Wildcats took their first lead when Howard drove to the basket for two points. Bethel increased their lead with two foul shots and two technical foul shots, all made by Howard. With four minutes left in the game, Bethel led 58-52. Howard added four more points to the board. Hart and Morrow had two points each. Taylor drained two shots at the free throw line. The Wildcats outscored the Tigers 27-15 in the fourth and 10 -7 in the final four minutes.

Howard led the Cats with 20 points, all of those in the second half. Morrow finished in double figures with 10 points.  Toller led all scorers with 27 points.

Bethel had a 28-14 advantage in points in the paint and a 20-10 margin in points off the bench.

The Cats hit 25-of-32 free throw attempts and outrebounded GC 30-26.

Bethel improved to 9-14 overall and 5-12 in the Mid-South Conference. GC dropped to 13-10 and 9-8.

Coach Chris Nelson commented, "We really needed this win. Georgetown is an excellent team. I thought we battled all day and Howard stepped up big for us in that second half. Hitting our free throws was a huge key. We will have a week to prepare for a big game against Freed-Hardeman."  

The Lady Wildcats play host to Freed-Hardeman Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

Article by Erin Douglas -SID Staff Member