MCKENZIE, Tenn. (02.15.10) - The Bethel struggled shooting the ball hitting just 26% for the game in a 72-52 loss to the visiting Cougars of Mid-Continent University. MCU led 30-24 at halftime and began the second half with 13 consecutive points on their way to the win.
Mid-Continent put together 8 consecutive points and took its biggest lead of the first half, 26-17, with 6:33 left. Then in the second half, the Cougars led by 22 points, 48-26, with 14:02 left. Bethel's first points of the second half came at the 15-minute mark. MCU led by 15 or more points the rest of the game and built the lead to as many as 24 twice late in the contest.
Bethel shot just .255 from the field (13-51), made just 2 of 12 three-pointers and 24 of 34 free throws and committed 16 turnovers. Bethel also recorded 15 steals. MCU finished the game shooting .475 from the field (29-61), made 9 of 16 three-pointers and 5 of 10 free throws and committed 16 turnovers. MCU also won the battle of the boards, 37-31, and stole the ball 15 times.
Dustin Ferguson led all scorers with 15 points, all in the second half, and made 10 of his 11 free throw tries. Donald "Trey" Harris totaled 13 points, and Marcus McElrath contributed 7 points and 7 rebounds.
Bethel is 11-15 (3-9) on the season. They will be in Lebanon, Tenn. on Thursday, February 18, 2010 to play Cumberland University at 8:00pm. The game can be heard live on 100.9 FM The Farm and on-line at www.bethelathletics.com.
