Lady Cats Drop First Game of the Year
HENDERSON, Tenn. – In a game that took on the flavor of a postseason affair, the No. 16 Bethel Lady Wildcats lost for the first time on the season falling 68-65 at (RV) Freed -Hardeman in Henderson Saturday afternoon. It was the battle of the unbeatens. It was the 83rd meeting between the two programs and the first time they ever met both unbeaten. Bethel dropped to 15-1 and 1-1 in the MSC. FHU moved to 17-0 and 1-0 in the league.
The teams fought to a 15-15 deadlock after the first quarter. FHU led 31-28 at the half and led 49-47 after three quarters. The Lions led by 10 with three minutes left but Bethel fought back and had a chance to tie, but a shot by Hallie Turner bounced off the rim and Freed would hold on to win by three.
Bethel shot 37 percent from the field and was 7-of-26 from behind the arc. The Cats hit 10- of -12 free throw attempts. FHU shot 45 percent and hit six three pointers. The Lions struggled from the charity stripe, going 12-of-21 from the line.
Bethel out rebounded the home team 38-36. Both squads had 12 turnovers but Freed had a 14-3 advantage in points off turnovers.
Both squads had players step up and nail big shots throughout the game that saw 11 lead changes.
Madison Hart led Bethel with 21 points and eight rebounds. Turner followed with 16 points and five assists. Mikee Buchanan had a team high 10 rebounds.
Kaylee Odom led Freed-Hardeman with 21 points. Rachel Satterly had 16 points.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "Today's game went as expected. I thought coming into the game that we had two really skilled teams, and the refs would let us play and be consistent. It simply came down to a team that made a few less mistakes. We went through a stretch where we made a few defensive mistakes, and it cost us. In a game where scoring was hard for both teams it really cost us. I thought we showed our toughness and character for battling back and executing down the stretch that allowed us an opportunity to send it to overtime. We were really proud of the turnout today and thought it was a great game for West Tennessee fans to enjoy. We expect all MSC games to be just like this."
Bethel plays their last non-conference game on Monday when they return to Crisp Arena to host Fisk University at 5:30 p.m.
Bethel is 168-38 all-time in Crisp.