MCKENZIE, Tenn. (02.27.10) - The #20 Bethel University Lady Wildcats took the lead with 12:05 remaining in the first half and never relinquished it in their 79-71 victory over the #13 Lady Lions of Freed-Hardeman University. It was the Lady Wildcats seventh straight victory. In arguably the toughest conference in the country, Bethel has gone 7-1 the second time through the grinding TranSouth schedule and created a three-way tie for second place in the conference with Freed-Hardeman and Trevecca Nazarene University. Bethel received the #3 seed, determined by a coin flip; Trevecca received #4 seed on coin flip. Freed-Hardeman received the #2 seed with 2-0 record versus Lyon in regular season - both TNU & BU were 1-1 versus Lyon.
The Lady Wildcats began the game by starting their seniors in their final regular season game in the Dishman Gymnasium. They responded by opening up a 7-2 advantage. The Lady Lions came back to tie the game at 13:02, but that would be the closest they would get for the remainder of the game. Tristian Johnson's three-pointer with 12:05 left in the first half gave Bethel a three-point advantage and the Lady ‘Cats held the lead the rest of the way. Bethel went up by as many as 10 points, but Freed scored at the buzzer for an eight point, 40-32 halftime lead.
Bethel again stretched the lead to double digits but Freed battled back to get to within five points, 52-47, with 12:33 remaining. Then Bethel went on a 10-0 run to go up 62-47 with 10:27 left. FHU got to within four, 71-67, at 2:34, but the Lady Wildcats got a big three pointer from Tristian Johnson and then hit their free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
Nina Djokovic recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds; she added two assists, one block and three steals. Tristian Johnson had 15 points. Kashundria Berry had 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Jovana Petrovic added 10 points and two rebounds. Teena Carter had nine points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal. Kelsey Hamilton posted eight points.
Meribeth Boehler of Freed-Hardeman led all scorers with 19 points. Natalie Shumpert led the team with nine rebounds and had 16 points. Jana Cross also had 16 points to go with eight rebounds.
Bethel's win is the second against a top 15 team in their seven game winning streak. It also marks the second time Bethel has defeated Freed since joining the TranSouth Conference.
Before the game, Bethel honored the contributions of their five outgoing seniors. There are: Kashundria Berry (Houston, Tex.), Jovana Petrovic (Nis, Serbia), Joanna Ortiz (Chicago, Ill.), Nina Djokovic (Belgrade, Serbia) and Tristian Johnson (Bolivar, Tenn.).
The Lady Wildcats are 20-9 (11-5) on the season. They will host Martin Methodist College on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 in the TranSouth Conference Quarterfinal Round. Bethel defeated Martin Methodist in Pulaski, Tenn. on January 28, 2010, 72-52 and at home on February 25, 2010, 85-63. The time for tip-off has yet to be determined.
Game can be heard live on 100.9 FM The Farm and on-line at www.bethelathletics.com.
