Cats Snap Losing Steak with Road Win at LWC

COLUMBIA, Ky. – The shorthanded Bethel Wildcats snapped a six-game losing streak with an impressive 73-61 road win at Lindsey Wilson Saturday afternoon.  For the second game in a row, Bethel played without three of their top four scorers in Jon Brown, Jamarius Mayberry, and Drew Thomas.

The Wildcats jumped out of the gate with a 18-4 run to set the tone in the first half. Bethel would lead by as many as 19 at 30-11 at the 8:38 mark of the half. The Blue Raiders cut into Bethel's margin and trailed 39-29 at the break.  Bethel shot 55 percent in the first twenty minutes. Balance scoring by the Wildcats proved to be a big factor. Tyler Neely, Yassine Zlitni and Kamron Rose each had nine points in the half. 

Lindsey Wilson would cut Bethel's margin to seven with 3:29 left in the game. The Cats at that point led 66-59 but would never allow the Raiders to get closer.

Bethel shot 55 percent from the floor while the Blue Raiders shot 35 percent. The Wildcats hit seven three-pointers. LWC knocked down six treys. Bethel hit 12-of 21 free throws attempts.  Lindsey was 13-of -21 from the line.

Bethel had a 30-29 rebound advantage and a 36-20 margin in points in the paint.

Rose led Bethel with 20 points. Neely had 16 and Zlitni finished with a career high 15. Hayden Thomas pitched in 12 tallies.

Payton Cundiff led the Blue Raiders with 18 points.

Bethel improved to 11-11 and 3-11 in the MSC. LWC dropped their sixth straight and fell to 9-13 and 2-12.

The teams met back on November 18 with Bethel winning 74-57.

The Wildcats return to play Thursday at Life University. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in Marietta.

Live Video:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8GrBOCsXyL92mHBtCpVxEg

Live Stats:

https://naiastats.prestosports.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/boxscores/20220203_48l3.xml