MCKENZIE (January 12) — The Bethel College Wildcats played their best game of the year in an inspired effort against the 8th ranked Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans, but lost 83-74. Bethel tied the Trojans at halftime, but could not pull away in the second half. The Trojans are the third straight top 25 team the Wildcats have faced in the past week.

In a physical game that had a total of two technical fouls on each team, the Wildcats countered the Trojans each step of the way. Improving from their Thursday night performance, Bethel rebounded 12 more shots in the first half than Trevecca but shot only 36% from the floor (12 of 33). Trevecca faired better offensively, shoot 52% (11 of 21). Defensively the Wildcats produced 10 steals in the first and committed five less turnovers. Octavious Thompson and Clint Blackburn each had six points in the first frame. Leon Sewell grabbed six boards, had a block and two steals. An enthusiastic crowd saw the Wildcats hold serve 31-31 at the half.

Bethel didn’t protect the ball as well in the second half allowing the Trojans to steal the ball six times to Bethel’s one. Trevecca also held an advantage in scoring from the bench as reserves converted 22 baskets to the Wildcats 8. Bethel shot a little better in the second half 42% (16 of 38), but Trevecca shot 54% (15 of 28). Sewell did his best to keep Bethel in the game by scoring 14 in the second half as did Clint Blackburn who shot 4 of 6 behind the arc for 12 points.

Blackburn led Bethel in scoring with 18 points. He had two assists and three rebounds. Sewell narrowly missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. He also had two blocks and two steals. LeRoy Bell had 10 points with eight assists, three rebounds, one block and three steals. Thompson had eight points, three rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal. Derek Demaree added seven points, four rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Bethel is 9-4 (0-3) on the season. They will look to get their first conference win on the road Monday night, January 14, 2008 at Mid-Continent University in Mayfield, Kentucky. The game is being played at Community Christian Academy, Hwy 45 & 110 Lebanon Church Road, Paducah, KY. Then the Wildcats return home to play #12 Lambuth University.

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