By Taylor Hodges
Sports Information Director
On Nov. 14, after a strong first-defensive performance, the top-ranked Lady Lions (1-1) were unable to close things out on the road against No. 16 Bethel (5-1), falling 52-50 on a last second shot.
It couldn’t have been a better first 20 minutes for the visitors, as they were able to force Bethel to turn the ball over 13 time, taking a 32-19 lead into the break after shooting 51 percent from the field and 50 percent from behind the arc, while holding the Lady Wildcats to just 36 percent from the field and 20 percent from deep.
The hosts were able to get things going to start the second half, but so was sophomore Chynia Brooks, who scored 12 points in the third quarter alone. The problem was the Lady Lions were hard pressed to find points anywhere else, and Bethel was able to make it an 11-point game heading into the final period.
The fourth quarter is where things took a turn in Bethel’s favor. They were able to hold the Lady Lions to just two points in the quarter and were able to get All-American forward Haylee Croom to foul out with just over a minute to go.
After a missed shot by Brooks out of a timeout, Bethel had the chance to hold for one last shot with the score tied at 50. They did just that and were able to knock down a contested layup with just over a second to go. They would get a stop on the inbounds play and hold on to win.
Brooks finished the contest with a game-high 21 points.
She added five rebounds, four assists and three steals to her tally.
Croom recorded her first double-double of the season, scoring 11 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Alyssa LeMay had eight points on 2-of-2 shooting from behind the arc.
