It didn’t look good for the ‘Cats in the first half. Bethel wasn’t shooting the ball particuarily well hitting only 11 of 30 (37%) and was having a difficult time hitting threes 2 of 10. On top of that, Antoine Lesesene picked up two fouls early and a third before the period was over. Lesesene averaged a double double the past two games was only able to post three points and play six minutes. Unfortunately, no one else was able to get on track either. Also bad news for Bethel was that Mid-Continent was hitting some shots including 5 of 11 from behind the arc. The ‘Cats found themselves trailing by as many as 10 with 4:22 remaining. But, Brennen Ward deposited four points before the break to get Bethel within four, 32-38.

The second half was a different story. The Wildcats came out with a new spring in their step. After a basket by the Cougars, Bethel went on an 8-0 run to tie the game early in the second. Bethel tied the game with 13:47 remaining and never lost the lead after that point. Bethel continued to build on its lead with Bell and Sewell leading the way offensively. Defensively, the Wildcats put a clamp on the Cougars. MCU only shot 12 of 39 (31%) and 1of 10 (10%) for the second half. Bethel put the exclamation on the game at 1:25 as Bell missed a fast break layup and Sewell came out of no where to two hand jam the loose ball. Bethel outscored the Cougars by 21 points in the second half to pull out the win.

Bethel was led by Leon Sewell with 18 points, 14 in the second half. Sewell also had six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal. Bell had 14 points, three rebounds, six assists and one steal. Derek Demaree posted a double double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Brian French nine points, six boards and steal. Clint Blackburn add eight and Deonte Carlisle had seven.

Bethel evens its overall record to 12-12 and 3-11 in the conference. The will be on the road for the next games. On Thursday, February 14, 2008 the Wildcats will be in Nashville, Tenn. to play the Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans with tip off set for 8:00pm. The game can be heard live on 96.5 FM WBFG and on line at bethelathletics.com. Then on Saturday, February 16, 2008 the Wildcats travel to Hendersonville, Tenn. to face the Freed-Hardeman Lions with tip off at 4:00pm.