Cats Host Tigers
MCKENZIE, Tenn. -The Bethel Wildcats return home after a comeback road win (83-79) at the University of the Cumberlands to host the Campbellsville Tigers Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Cats are 117-46 all-time in Crisp Arena and 5-3 on their home court this year.
The Cats are 9-7 overall and 5-6 in the MSC.
The Tigers are 7-10 and 2-9. Campbellsville is 1-5 on the road.
The teams met back in early December in Campbellsville. The Wildcats gradually built a steady lead in the first half and took a 38-27 margin at halftime. Ten first points off the bench by Keyshawn Kennedy sparked the Cats in the half. The Wildcats used that margin and kept the momentum leading by double digits much of the second half. The Tigers mounted a late comeback, pulling to within three with under a minute left but Bethel held on to win 76-72. With the victory, the Wildcats snapped a four-game losing streak. The Wildcats shot 44 percent from the floor. Campbellsville shot 42 percent from the field. Both struggled from outside with Bethel hitting just four of 16 three-point attempts. CU was 3-of-15 from behind the arc. The Cats knocked down 16-of-24 free throw attempts. Several of those helped put the game away. The Tigers hit just 25-of-42 from the line. Bethel had a 49-28 margin in rebounds. The Cats had a 24-14 advantage in points off the bench. Jose Nazario led Bethel in scoring with 14 points. Kennedy and Yassine Zlitni followed with 13 points each. Querrion Gadson has a big effort with 10 points and nine rebounds. Malik Muhammad led the Tigers with a game high 21 points.
It will be the 10th meeting between the two programs. Campbellsville had a 6-3 lead in the series.
Live coverage:
Video:
https://bethelathletics.com/watch
Stats:
https://bethelathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/boxscores/20230112_z6b7.xml
Radio:
The Countdown to Tip-off Show begins immediately following the women's game on 100.9, WEIO
https://streamdb6web.securenetsystems.net/v5/WEIO
Tickets: Cashless Gate
https://bethelathletics.com/tickets
The Wildcats average 73.0 and 73.4 points per game. Querrion Gadson leads the Cats in scoring at 11.1 points per game. Five players average seven or more points per outing.
Jeff Britt is in his 23rd year at Bethel and is 502-354 in his career. He has 353 wins at Bethel. Britt ranks 10th for most wins among active NAIA Division I men's basketball coaches.
The Tigers average 70.8 and yield 70.3 points per game. Malachi De Sousa leads CU in scoring at 11.8 points per game. Jace Wallace follows at 10.9 points.
Brent Vernon was named head coach at Campbellsville University on June 28, 2016 after three seasons as an assistant coach for the Tigers. Vernon is 95-75 with the Tigers.
Official Game Day Program: