Lady Wildcats Battle but Come up Short versus No. 1 TMU
MCKENZIE, Tenn. –In the first of a four game MSC home stand, the Bethel Lady Wildcats played host to the No. 1 ranked Thomas More Saints Thursday night in Crisp Arena. Bethel was attempting to snap a three-game losing streak, but it wasn't to be as the defending league champions and national runners edged the Lady Cats 55-53.
Thomas More won their 15th straight and moved to 16-1 and 9-0 in league action. The Cats dropped to 8-8 and 2-6. It was only Bethel's 23rd loss ever in Crisp. They are 135-23 all-time with two of those losses being to TMU.
Thomas More led 13-10 after one. The Lady Cats fought back and led 29-23 late in the second only to see TMU score seven unanswered to grab a 30-29 margin at the half. The third stanza saw Bethel take a 38-35 lead but again TMU charged back and led 43-41 after three. The Saints had the better of the first four minutes of the final frame. At one point they ripped off 10 straight and led 53-43 with six minutes left. The Lady Cats did not quietly into the West Tennessee night however as Bethel responded with their own 10-point run tie the game at 53. TMU's Summer Secrist nailed two free throws with 13.5 seconds which proved to be the difference. Bethel advanced the ball to the frontcourt but couldn't convert.
Bench points proved to be a huge factor in the game. TMU had a 29-11 advantage with Secrist scoring a team high 16 points. Starter Emily Simon followed with 11 tallies.
Bethel's Millie Bryant had a game high 19 points. Ryann Roberts pitched in with 14 points.
Other Bethel highlights included a game high 10 rebounds from Kyla Taylor. Mickey Head had seven blocks and eight boards. Bethel had a season low five turnovers.
Both teams struggled from outside. TMU was 6-of-23 in three-point attempts while Bethel was 6-of-26.
The Saints won the battle of the boards at 43-33.
Coach Chris Nelson commented, "We played hard, and I thought it was our best defensive effort of the season. I'm proud of how we battled until the very end. We had chances and some good looks, but the shots just didn't fall. Thomas More is very good no doubt. They are well coached, and they play with a lot of confidence. We must keep our heads up and we still can have a very good year in the end. This game shows we can play with anyone. We have to get healthy and go from there."
Bethel played without starter Keely Morrow who sat out with an injury.
The Lady Cats jump back into action Saturday hosting MSC foe Shawnee State at 2 p.m. The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins at 1:30 p.m.
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