Bethel Plays Host to Cumberland University Saturday at Crisp
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats hope to remain unbeaten as they host Cumberland University Saturday at 4 p.m. Bethel sports a 3-0 after their conference opening 74-57 win over Lindsey Wilson Thursday. The Phoenix come to McKenzie with a 3-1 record after their 89-71 loss at Freed-Hardmen Thursday. It was their MSC opener as well.
Last Game:
Bethel
The Bethel Wildcats remained unbeaten on the early season with a 74-57 win over the visiting Lindsey Wilson Blue Raiders Thursday night in Crisp Arena. Bethel moved to 3-0 and 1-0 while LWC dropped to 5-2 and 0-1. It marked the first time ever Bethel has beaten the Blue Raiders in McKenzie. Bethel led 38-26 at the half and maintained a double-digit lead for all of the second half.
Bethel's defense was superb as they held the Raiders to 20 points below their average. LWC shot just 31 percent from the floor while the Wildcats shot 48 percent connecting on 31-of-64 attempts from the field. Adding to Bethel's victory was a 42-27 margin in rebounding. Bethel has outrebounded each opponent in their three wins.
Drew Thomas was outstanding scoring a team high 19 points. Jon Brown, the former West Florida standout who reached the 1,000-career point plateau Saturday, finished with 16 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the game. Jamarius Mayberry who leads the team in rebounding (11.5) collected 11 boards and finished with eight points. Kamron Rose came off the Wildcat bench and scored 14 points.
Elijah Jordan led LWC with 20 points. Payton Cundiff hit four of Lindsey's eight three's and finished with 12 points.
CU
Freed-Hardeman ran away with the game in the second half defeating the Phoenix 89-71 Thursday evening in the Brewer Sports Center.
Cumberland (3-1, 0-1 MSC) battled foul trouble the entire second half sending the Lions to the line 20 times where they were perfect. Cumberland shot 39.1% from the field and jacked up 29 three-pointers finishing 31.0% from beyond the arc.
Aaron Ridley finished with 23 points in the game on 9-of-16 shooting and 5-of-8 from three. Ridley also added nine rebounds and three steals. Tavon King posted 21 points on 7-of-17 shooting. Isaac Stephens had nine points and 10 rebounds.
Cat Scratches:
Bethel is led in scoring by Brown who averages 18.3 points per game. Thomas is second in scoring at 13.0 points per outing. Rose is good for 11.7 points per contest.
Bethel averages 79.0 and yields 61.7 points per game.
Home Sweet Home:
After their home win Thursday, the Cats are 113-34 in Crisp Arena.
The Walker Watch:
After the game, Bethel senior guard Jarred Walker has 355 career assists which is 12th in program history. Jarred has 178 steals which is sixth in the Wildcat record book.
History for Bethel's Jon Brown:
With his 23 points against Oakland City this past week, Jon Brown reached the 1, 000-point plateau in his career. He scored 853 points at West Florida and now has 177 as a Wildcat. He enters Saturday's game with 1, 030 career points.
CU Facts:
Ridley leads the Phoenix averaging 18.5 points per game. King is second in scoring at 17.5 per game. Jordan Stephens is good for 11.8 points per outing. CU averages 74.5 and yields 70.5 points per game.
Coaches:
Jeff Britt is in his 22nd year as the head men's basketball coach at Bethel University and his 33rd year as a college basketball coach. His record as a head coach is 484-329 and includes 11 seasons with 20-plus wins. He currently ranks 10th for most wins among active NAIA Division I men's basketball coaches.
Jeremy Lewis was named head coach for men's basketball at Cumberland on March 19, 2018, after spending the previous nine seasons as the women's coach for the Phoenix.
Lewis is in his 17th season as a full-time coach at his alma mater and his 20th year as a member of the Cumberland family as both a player and coach. He is 37-46 with the Phoenix during the current stint as men's coach.
Media coverage & Links:
For Complete Game Day Notes visit:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/2021-22_Men-s_Basketball_Game_Notes_-_Nov._20.pdf.
Live stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/boxscores/20211118_sg8k.xml
Live video:
https://bethelathletics.com/WildcatStreaming
Live radio: WEIO, 1009.
https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WEIO
Fans are reminded tickets for all basketball games at Crisp Arena must be purchased in advance. This will be the norm the remainder of the season.
Fans can purchase tickets with their credit cards only.
Tickets:
https://bethel.prestosports.com/bethel-box-office
It is suggested fans wear a mask and practice social distancing outside their family group. These suggestions are for the safety of each and to assure our student-athletes can complete their seasons in a healthy environment.
Check out Game Notes for both games at www.bethelathletics.com