Lady Wildcats Advance to MSC Finals with Semifinal Win over Georgetown -Meet FHU Monday for Title

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. –The No. 1 seed and No.3 nationally ranked Bethel Lady Wildcats moved to the finals of the Mid-South Conference Championships with a 75-68 win over No. 5 seed Georgetown Sunday afternoon in Bowling Green.

The Cats took control of the game midway into the first quarter and led at the break 24-13. Sparked by M J Simmons (11), Mikee Buchanan (9), Madison Hart (9), and Hallie Turner (8) the Lady Cats led 41-24 at the break.

Bethel hit eight three-pointers in the half. The Lady Tigers were 0-of-11 from behind the arc.

Along with the outstanding offensive effort in the half, Bethel's defense was just as good, holding the Lady Tigers to just 28 percent from the field in the half. The effort resulted in the Cats holding Georgetown's leading scorers Daisy Gale (4), and Daysha Reid (2) to a combined six points.

Both squads scored 21 points in the third quarter as Bethel maintained a comfortable lead at 62-45.

The Tigers, just like they had done against Campbellsville in the quarterfinals, mounted a furious comeback, and cut Bethel's lead to 69-66 with one minute left. The Tigers had a three-point shot to tie the game but missed. A layup by Madison Hart   and two free throws from Hallie Turner gave the momentum back to the Cats. Hart added two free throws, and Turner had a late steal to seal the deal.

Bethel finished with 11 made three-pointers while GC hit five, all in the second half.

MJ Simmons led the Cats with a season high 20 points. The junior also grabbed six rebounds. Madison Hart had 17 points and a game high nine rebounds. Buchanan had 14 points and eight rebounds. Turner finished with 10 points and six assists.

Simmons was named the H&W-Dukes Sports Player of the Game.

Gale led GC with 20 points. The Lady Tigers dropped to 22-8 while Bethel moved to 25-4.

The championship game is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT on Monday, March 2. The Cats will meet Freed-Hardeman who beat Cumberlands. 

The tournament champion receives the conference's automatic bid into the NAIA National Tournament later in March.

For information on tickets, stats, how to watch and directions to the arena, visit:

https://mid-southconference.org/sports/2025/12/14/MSCWBB2026Tournament.aspx

Photo gallery courtesy of Mid-South Conference

https://www.flickr.com/photos/195086187@N03/albums/72177720332279146/with/55123581690