MCKENZIE, Tenn. - In its last game before Thanksgiving, Faulkner (7-2, 2-0 SSAC) pushed the second-ranked team in the nation in Bethel (11-0) for 23 minutes of game time on the road before the Lady Wildcats pulled away for a dominant 81-54 win at Crisp Arena on Tuesday afternoon. 

The only time Bethel did not hold a lead was when the teams were tied 2-2 less than a minute into the game, as Bethel took the lead for good on a trey a minute in. The Lady Eagles got within two at the 4:03 mark and kept the deficit manageable in the first quarter thanks to consecutive triples by Avery Rogers off assists from Morgan Holland DeWitt. They got within a basket again with 9:03 to go in the second on an Audrey Blaine three, and following a trade of scores, cut the score to 26-25 on layups by two other freshmen in Brett Douglas and Addison Cantrell. The Lady Wildcats then closed the half on a 14-5 run to lead 40-30 at the break. 

Ruthie Smith and Micah Hart traded threes for their respective teams to open the second half, and after hitting a pair of free throws, Rogers got the Lady Eagles as close as they would get the rest of the way on a trey at the 7:48 mark of the third at 43-38. Bethel responded in finishing the quarter with a 17-5 run, using it to take control of the game in outscoring Faulkner in the fourth period 21-11 with 46.2% shooting and eight free throws on as many attempts. The hosts also forced Faulkner into 21.4% shooting in the quarter, tied for its lowest mark of the season, including 0-for-10 from deep.  

Bethel won the shooting battle overall 41.2% to 30%, on threes 40.7% to 20.6% and on free throws 100% to 73.3%. The Lady Wildcats took most of the ancillary categories as well, as Faulkner won points in the paint 22-18 and second chance points 10-6. Bethel had three scorers in double figures. Hart racked up a game-high 31 points to go with eight rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Mikee Buchanan put up 20 points, 11 boards, three assists and two steals. Adalyn Koelling scored 13 points and three assists.  

Rogers led the Lady Eagles with 15 points and eight steals. Smith put up nine points and eight rebounds. DeWitt had eight points, seven boards and three assists. Keyarra Scottland and Grace Anne Rose each grabbed five boards.  

The Lady Eagles return home for their next game, an in-state conference matchup with Mobile on Saturday, December 6 at noon.