Lady Cats top Freed-Hardeman
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Coach Chris Nelson said in his pregame interview a fast start would be big versus (RV) Freed-Hardman Saturday afternoon in Crisp Arena. That is exactly what the Bethel Lady Wildcats used to upset the Lady Lions, winning 69-59.
The Lady Wildcats took a large lead in the first quarter that boosted them to their victory.
The Lady Wildcats held the Lady Lions to single digits in the quarter. K.J. White had four points. Kelsey Bender chalked up the other two points for the Lady Lions.
Three minutes into the game, Bethel grabbed a 9-0 lead. Keely Morrow drained a three-pointer to begin the game. Alyia Lee had two points and Madison Hart added the other four points. The Lady Wildcats added 13 more points to the board to end the first quarter. Lee made two shots from the free throw line. Raegan Blackburn and Alayna Anderson drained three-pointers. Kyla Taylor and Kalynn Howard had two points each. The Lady Wildcats led 22-6 at the end of the first quarter.
The Lady Lions increased their field goal percentage to 35% during the second quarter. Rees Berkey had ten points during the second quarter. Madisyn Baugher drained a three - pointer, then tacked on one more point at the free throw line.
The Lady Wildcats held a 36-20 lead at the half. Hart had six points during the second quarter. Anderson. Blackburn, Lee and Morrow had two points each. At halftime, Bethel was shooting over 50% and was perfect from the free throw line.
The Lady Lions chipped away at the Lady Wildcats lead during the second half. White had 12 points in the third quarter. Berkey tacked on three points.
The Lady Wildcats outscored FHU 21-16 in the third stanza. Morrow drained two treys. Hart had six points. Taylor chalked up five points. Blackburn drained a three. Bethel led 57-36 after three.
The Lady Lions scored 23 points in the final quarter, with eight of those points coming from the free throw line. Rachel Satterly had seven points in the fourth quarter. Elli Chumley had six points for the Lady Lions. Berkey had four points, and White chalked up three. Baugher tacked on two points and Kalea Fleming added on one point from the foul line.
Bethel scored only 12 points in the quarter, but it proved to be enough to hold on for the victory. Morrow chalked up six points. Blackburn and Taylor had two points each. Hart converted with two points at the free throw line.
The Lady Lions shot 39% from the floor. Freed-Hardeman went 9-for-15 from the free throw line. FHU had 13 turnovers.
K.J. White had 20 points to lead the Lady Lions. Rees Berkey had 17 points off the bench. The Lady Lions dropped to 10-8 in the Mid-South Conference and 16-8 overall.
The Lady Wildcats shot 51% from the floor. Bethel scored 11 points off turnovers. Madison Hart led the Lady Wildcats with 19 points. Keely Morrow chalked up 17 points. Raegan Blackburn finished with ten points.
The Lady Wildcats moved to 6-12 in the conference and 10-14 overall.
Coach Nelson was pleased with victory, "I am excited for our ladies. They were focused from the very start. We beat a really good basketball team and showed be can be a good team as well. When Freed made their run, we kept our poise and hit some big shots to preserve the victory. It was truly a good team win."
The Lady Wildcats travel to Thomas More on Thursday, Feb. 9. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m.
Recap by SID staff member, Erin Douglas