Cats Fight Hard but Fall to #2 Georgetown
MCKENZIE, Tenn. -In a highly anticipated showdown on Friday at Crisp Arena in McKenzie, the Bethel Wildcats gave it their all against the second-ranked Georgetown College Tigers. Despite a gritty performance that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Wildcats ultimately fell short, with Georgetown securing a 71-65 victory.
First Half: A Defiant Stand
The game began with Georgetown asserting their dominance early on. Dre Boyd and Jaquias Franklin led the charge for the Tigers, with Boyd grabbing eight rebounds and Franklin contributing 15 points. The visitors quickly built a 38-27 lead by halftime. Georgetown's offense was sharp, with Jabrion Spikes scoring 21 points, and the Tigers shooting at 47.1% from the field in the first half. Their defense also kept Bethel from finding a consistent rhythm, particularly from beyond the arc, where the Wildcats hit just 2-of-9 attempts from long distance.
Despite Georgetown's offensive surge, Bethel showed resilience. Chauncey Hughes III, a Wildcat standout, fought hard, contributing 12 points and adding two assists in the first half. The Wildcats also benefited from a strong defensive presence in the paint, matching Georgetown's 34 points in the paint at halftime.
Second Half: Bethel's Furious Rally
In the second half, Bethel came alive, fueled by determination and the leadership of Trevor Chatman, who scored 10 points in the second half and finished with 14 overall. The Wildcats tightened their defense, holding Georgetown to just 33 points in the second half. The combination of Chatman's tenacity and a collective team effort sparked Bethel's offensive resurgence.
Georgetown, however, kept their cool. While their three-point shooting faltered completely (0 for 5 in the second half), they relied on their defense and rebounding, maintaining their lead through key possessions. Darien Lewis helped keep the Tigers' offense in motion, finishing with 10 points, including six made free throws.
As Bethel's offense continued to battle, it was clear that the Wildcats were not going to go down without a fight. The Wildcats fought back to within three points late in the game, but Georgetown's balanced attack, which included 17 points off the bench, kept them ahead.
The Final Push
With less than two minutes left, Bethel found themselves trailing by just three points but missed opportunities and a couple of turnovers allowed Georgetown to close out the game with a steady hand. Despite a valiant 38-point second-half effort, Bethel was unable to complete the comeback, as Georgetown's defense proved too strong in the final moments.
In the end, Georgetown's defense, and rebounding, combined with an 81% free throw performance, were key to their success. Bethel's relentless effort was evident, with the Wildcats' bench scoring 30 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome Georgetown's depth and experience.
Key Performances
- Georgetown: Jaquias Franklin led all scorers with 15 points and contributed three rebounds. Jabrion Spikes finished with 21 points and three boards. The Tigers' 3-point shooting (13.3% for the game) was cold, but they found success inside, with 34 points in the paint.
- Bethel: Trevor Chatman had a standout performance with 14 points and four assists. Chauncey Hughes III finished with 12 points, The Wildcats' bench came alive with 30 points, with contributions from Connor Guthrie, Joe Wimberly, Akeyse Rice, David Starr and others.
Conclusion
The Bethel Wildcats gave the #2 Tigers everything they could handle on their home court. In a game defined by hard-fought battles in the paint and determined performances by both teams, Georgetown's depth and experience ultimately triumphed. Bethel's relentless pursuit and team spirit shone brightly, making it clear that they are a force to be reckoned with, even in defeat.
For Georgetown, the victory keeps them atop the rankings and adds to their 25-2 record, solidifying their place as a national title contender. For Bethel, the loss serves as a reminder that even against the best, they can stand toe to toe—fighting until the very last whistle.
The Cats remain at home for Senior Day against Cumberlands on Saturday. Tipoff is slated for 3 p.m. with festivities taking place just before. the tip.
Stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2024-25/boxscores/20250222_4oy9.xml
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Tickets:
https://bethelathletics.com/tickets
Coach Britt's Quote:
"Tonight was a real test for us, and I'm extremely proud of how our guys battled for all 40 minutes. Georgetown is a powerhouse, ranked #2 for a reason, and they came in here with a ton of confidence. They are a Final Four contender no doubt. We knew they were going to bring their best, and we responded. Our defense was tough, and I thought we did a great job in the paint—matching them in that area."
Britt added, "Where we fell short was in those key moments down the stretch. We had some good looks that just didn't fall, and a few mental mistakes that hurt us., Sometimes those little things add up but I can't fault the effort—the heart and determination our guys showed tonight, especially in that second half, was something you can't coach. We kept pushing, kept believing, and that's what I want to see from us every time we step on the floor."
Coach Britt concluded, "We're not where we want to be yet, but this game is going to make us better. We've got to learn from this, take the positives, and build on them. We'll keep grinding and keep getting better. We've got a lot of basketball ahead of us, and I know this team is capable of big things."
Article by Derrick Hubble-SID Assistant