MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Four years ago Thursday night, Coach Chris Nelson captured career win No. 200 with a victory over Auburn-Montgomery. Noteworthy in the 70-53 win was the scoring of Shamon Pearson who hit nine three-pointers. That all-time program mark was tied earlier this season by Bethel freshman Ryann Roberts who hit nine three’s in Bethel’s 104-57 win over Oakland City.
Coach Nelson captured his 300th career win Thursday as the No. 15 Lady Wildcats beat visiting Stillman College 76-38. Coach Nelson is 300-142 in his 14 years at Bethel. It was Bethel’s fourth straight win and moved them to 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the SSAC. The Lady Tigers fell to 3-7 and 2-1.
Bethel is 7-0 at home on the season and 113-15 all-time in Crisp. They are 53-4 in SSAC action in the building. Bethel is 96-18 all-time in overall league action. It was the first of the next seven games Bethel will play in Crisp Arena during the month.
Bethel leads the series 3-0.
The Lady Wildcats used a 22-9 second quarter advantage to break the game open.
Bethel led 38-17 at halftime.
Bethel hit 16 three’s while Stillman hit only two in the game. The Lady Wildcats forced the Lady Tigers into 18 turnovers and had a 15-2 nod in points off turnovers. Bethel outrebounded Stillman 48-35. The Lady Cats had a 35-22 advantage in points off the bench.
Millie Bryant led Bethel with 14 points. Freshman Anya Patterson had a career high 12 points with four three’s. Morgan Martin knocked down three three-pointers and finished with 10 points. She has 1, 188 career points and is tied with former Bethel great Dani Howard for 11th on the all-time scoring list. Tasia Jones finished with a game high seven assists giving her 96 on the year. She is third in the nation in assists. Bethel is seventh in the nation with 240 total assists. The Lady Wildcats have connected on 118 three’s on the season which is 14th in the nation.
Michaia Fluellen led the Tigers with nine points.
Coach Nelson commented on the win and the milestone. “Tonight was good to get off to a strong conference start. Our girls practiced hard after returning from Christmas break and they were excited to play. I thought we shared the ball exceptionally well and did a good job adjusting to the different looks they threw at us. We were proud of our defensive effort and for sustaining that effort after half time.”
Nelson added, “On reaching 300, it is crazy to think how fast time can fly but I am very thankful for all the players, coaches and trainers that have helped our program along the way. That’s a lot of scouting reports from coaches, a lot of great players we have had and ice packs by trainers that have taken care of these student athletes.”
Bethel returns to action Saturday hosting the Mobile Rams at noon.