Lady Wildcats Defeat Cumberland, Wildcats Fall

McKENZIE (February 5) — Bethel University hosted Cumberland University Thursday for a pair of Mid-South Conference basketball contests. The Lady Wildcats had a slow start offensively, but a strong fourth quarter sealed a 58-43 victory. The Wildcats fell behind early and trailed by as much as 23 points. A second half rally cut the deficit to single digits, but the visiting Phoenix held on to win, 83-68.

As the first sporting event in Carroll County in nearly two weeks, the games drew a great crowd of basketball fans and Bethel faithful.

Bethel Lady Wildcats 58, Cumberland Phoenix 43

The Lady Wildcats had a 13-11 edge after the opening frame and led 28-20 at the half. The Phoenix had an 11-10 advantage in the third, but Bethel finished strong with a 20-12 tilt in the fourth.

Bethel outshot Cumberland 32.2 to 28 percent from the field, including 23.3 to 16.7 percent on three-pointers.

The Phoenix outrebounded the Lady Wildcats 37-34, but allowed 22 turnovers to Bethel's nine.

Lady Wildcat Mikee Buchanan led all scorers with 14 points (four three-pointers) and led Bethel with ten rebounds. MJ Simmons and Madison Hart each scored 13, each with a three. Hart was eight-of-11 at the free throw line. Micah Hart had eight points and six rebounds.

Ever Walker, off the bench, led Cumberland in scoring with nine points (two three-pointers). Emaleigh Tarpley led all players with 14 rebounds.

Phoenix 83, Wildcats 68

Cumberland seemed to put the game away with a 48-26 lead going into halftime, but Bethel came out determined in the second half and erased most of the deficit down the stretch. The Phoenix regained the momentum late and kept the Wildcat rally (a 42-35 second-half advantage) at bay for the win.

Cumberland outshot Bethel 51.7 to 33.3 percent from the field, including 50 to 14.3 percent on threes.

Bethel had an advantage on rebounds, 41-38, and allowed just seven turnovers to the Phoenix's 17.

David Starr led the Wildcats offensively with 23 points (11-of-16 from the free throw line). Chauncey Hughes III scored 15 with a pair of threes. Starr and Alonzo Rhodes, Jr. led Bethel with eight rebounds each.

Michael Nwoye led Cumberland with 23 points (11-of-14 from the line) and led all players with ten rebounds.