Bethel’s Magical March Run Continues with Overtime Thriller-Comeback Cats Do It Again
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - On a night that will live on in program history, the Bethel men's basketball team stunned the crowd at Bowling Green Arena with an 80–76 overtime victory over Cumberlands (KY) Sunday night. Someone forgot to tell these Cats they were a seventh seed. The victory made history as it marked the first time ever for the Wildcats to make it to the Mid-South Conference Tournament finals.
Facing a 23–7 Cumberlands squad that had dominated much of the season, Bethel (19–11) found itself down 37–25 at halftime. The first half was a grind. Shots were hard to come by, and Cumberlands controlled the tempo. But what followed was the kind of second-half surge that defines a magical March run.
Second-Half Surge
Bethel flipped the script in the final 20 minutes, shooting 48.6% from the field and 50% from three. The Wildcats attacked the paint relentlessly, finishing with 54 points inside and 20 second-chance points.
David Starr delivered a masterclass performance, pouring in 23 points on 11-of-20 shooting while dishing out eight assists in 43 minutes of action. His poise and decision-making fueled the comeback. He was named the H&W-Dukes Sports Player of the Game.
Ethan Turner added 19 points and 10 rebounds, dominating the interior. Alonzo Rhodes Jr. recorded a double-double of his own with 14 points and 11 rebounds, along with five blocks in a commanding defensive effort. Bethel outrebounded Cumberlands 43–39 and forced key stops down the stretch. Senior Chauncey Hughes III had 13 points and eight boards.
With the game tied late in regulation, Bethel leaned on its toughness. Free throws became the difference. Bethel shot 88.9% in the second half and 81.3% overall.
Overtime Composure
In overtime, Bethel outscored Cumberlands 11–7. Every possession felt monumental. Defensive stops, smart ball movement, and clutch free throws sealed the victory. Turner's stick back layup and free throw with 12 seconds left proved to be huge as the Cats took the lead and held on.
Cumberlands, led by Javecckio Thomas' 22 points and Kyle Duke's 18, struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 19.2% from three — a testament to Bethel's defensive intensity.
A Nigh & Run to Remember
From a 12-point halftime deficit to an overtime triumph, this game embodied Bethel's magical postseason push. The Wildcats didn't just win — they proved they belong in the biggest moments.
As March continues, one thing is clear: Bethel is playing its best basketball at exactly the right time.
The Wildcats will attempt to keep the magic working when they take on top seeded and No.1 in the nation, the Freed Hardeman Lions Monday night at 7:30 p.m.
For information on tickets, stats, how to watch and directions to the arena, visit:
https://mid-southconference.org/sports/2025/12/14/mscmbb2026tournament.aspx
See related article at www.bethelathletics.com