Wildcats Host Lions in Crisp
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel Wildcats will play host to the Freed-Hardeman Lions Monday night in Crisp Arena. The Cats enter the game at 11-13 overall and 3-13 in the MSC. FHU is 15-9 and 10-7.
It will be the 79th meeting between the two programs with FHU leading the series 40-38. Bethel is 5-7 at home on the season and sports a 114-40 all-time mark in Crisp Arena. FHU is 5-4 on the road this year.
The teams met in Henderson in early January with Bethel winning 79-77. The game featured 14 lead changes and 12 ties. The Wildcats led at the half 43-40. FHU led 74-70 late in the game but Bethel outscored the Lions 9-5 to capture the road win.
FHU outshot Bethel from the field shooting 50 percent to Bethel's 41 percent. The Lions knocked down 11 threes to Bethel's six but Bethel's advantage from the free throw line was a big factor. The Cats hit 15-of-21 free throw attempts while FHU was just 2-of-7 from the foul line. Another big factor was Bethel's bench points. The Cats had a 39-17 margin in points off the bench. The Cats also had a big margin in points off turnovers at 17-3.
Kamron Rose led Bethel with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Jamarius Mayberry finished with 15 points. Senior Jarred Walker was solid with 11 points and three assists.
Freed's Kortland Martin had a game high 24 points.
The Wildcats are averaging 74.7 and yielding 71.9 points per outing.
Rose leads Bethel in scoring at 11.7 points per game. Brown follows at 11.5 while Mayberry averages 10.0 per outing.
Bethel's Walker enters the game with 416 career assists which is 11th all-time in program history. He is 3rd all-time in steals with 214. Walker is two steals away from catching former Bethel great Scott Hamm who had 216.
Bethel shoots 43 percent from the floor while their opponents are at 44 percent. The Cats are at 33 percent in made three-pointers while the opposition is at 34 percent. Bethel shoots 67 percent from the foul line. The Cats outrebound their opponents 38-32 per outing.
Eight from 500:
Jeff Britt is in his 22nd year as the head men's basketball coach at Bethel and his 33rd year as a college basketball coach. His record as a head coach is 492-341 and includes 11 seasons with 20-plus wins. He currently ranks 10th for most wins among active NAIA Division I men's basketball coaches. Britt is 386-298 at Bethel.
Trends & Numbers:
Bethel is 8-0 when they outshoot their opponents.
The Cats are 8-4 when they hit more three-pointers.
The Wildcats are 11-8 when they outrebound their opponents.
Bethel is 7-4 when they have less turnovers.
The Cats are 10-4 when they lead at the half.
FHU averages 78.5 points per game. They yield 75.1 per outing. Kortland Martin leads the Lions averaging 20.4 per game.
Drew Stutts is in his third year as head coach of the Lions.
Catch the action on WEIO, 100.9 and at www.thefarmradio.com.
Live Stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2021-22/boxscores/20220205_so69.xml
Live video:
https://bethelathletics.com/WildcatStreaming
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.