MCKENZIE, Tenn. –The #1 Lady Wildcats took on the No. 8 Benedictine Lady Warriors in the NAIA Tournament Second Round Saturday in McKenzie. A strong defensive presence and the scoring of Madison and Micah Hart propelled the Cats to the Round of 16 which will be held in Sioux City Iowa beginning Thursday.
In a spirited matchup at Crisp Arena, Bethel (25-7) outpaced Benedictine (KS) (25-8) with a 67-52 victory.
Bethel set the tone early, edging Benedictine 20-18 in a competitive first quarter. The Cats used a 17-9 margin in the second stanza to lead 37-27 at the half. Bethel enjoyed a double-digit lead for much of the second half and put the game away with a 17-11 advantage in the fourth quarter.
Madison Hart led the charge, displaying her versatility and scoring prowess with a game-high 30 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while also contributing 10 rebounds for a double-double. Hart was successful on each of 11 free throw attempts. Teammate Micah Hart added 24 points, including four three-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, proving pivotal in Bethel’s offensive rhythm.
Benedictine struggled to find consistent scoring, shooting just 29.8% from the field and 13.6% from beyond the arc. Jennifer Jacobs emerged as their most effective scorer, tallying 19 points while shooting an efficient 6-for-9 from the field and converting 7-of-8 free throws. Josie Weishaar added 10 points, but turnovers and cold perimeter shooting hampered any comeback effort by the Warriors.
Bethel’s defense was key, forcing 13 turnovers and capitalizing with 15 points off those mistakes. Benedictine’s offensive struggles were further highlighted by a scoreless fast-break effort and limited points off turnovers, managing just four in that category.
Despite Benedictine holding a slight edge in points in the paint (24-18) and bench contributions (12-5), Bethel’s consistent scoring and flawless 19-of-19 performance from the free-throw line sealed the game.
With 750 fans in attendance, Bethel maintained control throughout, responding to every Benedictine push with timely shooting and defensive stops.
The win solidifies Bethel’s season at 25-7, while Benedictine closes their campaign at 25-8. Both teams displayed grit and determination, but Bethel’s sharp shooting and defensive pressure made the difference in this postseason clash.
The Lady Cats play on Thursday in Sioux City at 1 p.m. CT, taking on No. 4 Hastings (Neb.) More later on Hastings, the bracket and the tournament at: www.bethelathletics.com
