PULASKI, Tenn. (01.28.10) - The Bethel University Wildcats ran out of gas late and fell victim to a late run by Martin Methodist College in their 101-86 loss. Bethel got to within two points in the second frame, but Martin's 17-3 run in the middle of half was too much for Bethel to overcome.
Bethel got off to a slow start as MMC went up 15-4 at 15:53. But the Wildcats regrouped and got to within three on Cameron Clemons three pointer with 5:39 making the score 32-29 MMC. Clemons was 5 of 5 shooting in the first half. The RedHawks went on a small 6-0 run to take an 11-point, 48-37 lead with 1:39 left in the first. Andre Crudup made an old fashioned three-point play to the lead to eight, 48-40 at the break. The teams were even in just about every category after the first half except in free throw attempts. Bethel got to the line just three times as MMC took 17 free throws.
Phillips White's basket with 14:04 got Bethel to within two points, 59-57, but that is when the RedHawks rolled off a 17-3 run to take a 16 point lead. From that point, the ‘Cats were never able to get to deficit under double digits.
Crudup led the Wildcats offense with 23 points; he had four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Daniel Doyle had 14 points with seven rebounds, two assists and one steal. Clemons finished with 11 points, two rebounds and one block. Eddie King and Dustin Ferguson each had nine points.
Bethel is 10-11 overall and 2-5 in TranSouth Conference play. Their Saturday, January 30, 2010 game has been rescheduled for Monday, February 1, 2010 ay 8:00pm in Henderson, Tenn. against Freed Hardeman University. They will be at home on Thursday, February 4, 2010 to play the Bulldogs of Union University at 8:00pm.
