Second chance points would be the difference in the game as Dalton State fell to Bethel (Tenn.) 88-67 in SSAC action at Crisp Arena in McKenzie, Tenn. on Thursday night.
THE FIRST HALF
Dalton State would jump out to an early lead at 6-2, but Bethel would knock down a few buckets and tie the game at 10-10 with 14:59 remaining in the half. The Roadrunners would continue to hold a slim lead until the 11:38 mark when a Foday Sankaray basket gave the Wildcats a 16-15 lead.
Both teams would trade field goals over the next three minutes of action as Bethel continued to cling to a slim lead.
The Wildcats would gradually begin to start stretching out the lead from the 7:31 mark on.
It would start with a Noah Chatman layup in the lane as Bethel went up 26-21. Four minutes later, two Sankaray free throws would put the Bethel lead at 10, 34-24. Dalton State would try to dig into the lead, but they would not have much success. Going into the half, Bethel would hold an eight point lead, 38-30.
The Roadrunners would come out with fire to begin the second half. An 11-4 run capped by a Sean Chislom three point play would cut the Wildcat lead to one at 42-41 with 17:10 remaining in the contest. Bethel would answer with a 10-2 run of their own to stretch the lead back out to nine at 52-43.
Another 6-0 spurt from Bethel would grow the lead even further, this time to 14 points, 61-47, with 10:43 on the clock. Dalton State would try to gain the advantage, but Bethel would answer bucket-for-bucket. With 48 seconds left, Bethel would gain their biggest advantage of the contest at 20 points. A late Kingston Frazier bucket would drop the lead under 20, but Bethel would come out on top, 87-69.
Dalton State falls to (4-5 overall, 1-2 SSAC) with the loss, while Bethel (Tenn.) improves to (8-3 overall, 2-1 SSAC) with the win. Sean Chislom lead Dalton State with 15 points and four rebounds as the Roadrunners had three players score in double-figures. Randy Bell added 13 points and three rebounds, while Aaron Burress scored 12 points with four rebounds.
Bethel was led on the evening by Isaac Edmondson and Noah Chatman with 18 points each. Chatman would add seven rebounds, while Edmondson would tak on four rebounds and three assists. Cayden Edmonson added a stat line of 17 points and nine boards, with Chase Nappier notching 10 points.
Bethel held the statistical advantage on the boards, out-rebounding the Roadrunners 43-29. Sixteen of the Wildcats rebounds would be on the offensive end and translate into 22 second chance points compared to five for Dalton State.
The Roadrunners will stay on the road and travel to Mississippi for a matchup with Blue Mountain (Miss.) on Saturday, December 15. Tip-Off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. (CT).