PORTSMOUTH, OH– Going into Saturday’s game at Shawnee State, the Bethel Lady Wildcats had never lost to the Bears, holding a 6-0 margin in the series between the two. The Bears reversed that trend however with a 64-51 victory in Portsmouth.
Bethel led 15-13 after the first quarter but SSU outscored the Cats 18-12 in the second quarter to lead 31-27 at the half. Both teams struggled from the floor in the half. Bethel shot 32 percent from the floor while Shawnee shot 34 percent. Bethel hit three of 14 three- point attempts. SSU missed all their six attempts from behind the arc. Bethel had a 21-13 advantage in rebounds, but SSU had a 16-10 margin in points in the paint.
The Bears outscored Bethel 18-11 in the third quarter to take a 49-38 lead. Bethel could not close the gap in the final frame losing by thirteen.
Cold shooting plagued Bethel. The Cats shot 28 percent (16-56) from the floor. The Cats hit just four of 27 three-point attempts. Bethel was 15-of-20 from the free throw line.
The Bears were 23-of-64 at 35 percent from the field. SSU was just 2-of-14 from behind the arc. The Bears hit 16-of -21 free throw attempts.
SSU had a strong second half effort on the boards to finish with a 39-34 margin in rebounds.
Raegan Blackburn led Bethel with 13 points and six rebounds. Kyla Taylor had a team high seven rebounds.
SSU had three players finish in double figures with Tanisia Murphy leading the Bears with a game high 17 points.
Bethel fell to 8-13 overall and 4-11 in the MSC. The Bears improved to 8-13 and 5-10.
Bethel returns to action with two home games next week. The Cats play host to No. 24 Cumberlands (KY) Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and then host (RV) Georgetown Saturday at 1 p.m.
Watch for previews to both games later at: www.bethelathletics.com
