Host Bethel pulls away from Bellevue, 56-47, in Holiday Classic

McKENZIE, Tenn. -- ­­Host Bethel University prevailed in a defensive masterclass defeating the Bellevue University women's basketball team 56-47 on Friday evening in the first game of the Holiday Classic.

The Bruins, who had won consecutive games, slide to 4-5 on the year while Bethel, receiving votes in the latest NAIA Coaches' Poll, wins their eighth-straight to improve to 8-2 on the year.

Bellevue started fast, out-scoring Bethel 9-2 over the first 3:39. Brandi Dunn hit bookend three-pointers with Kaylee Denker hitting from deep in the midst of that run before the Wildcats responded with a 12-0 run to take their first lead of the game. Gabby Moore hit a jumper inside of the final minute as the Bruins trailed 14-11 after the first quarter.

Bethel pushed their lead to a game-high seven points, 18-11, on a layup by Madison Heart at the 6:31 mark of the second quarter before the Bruins responded by scoring eight of the next nine points. Dunn buried her third triple of the game, Zakiyyah Muhammad scored in the paint, and Delaney VanBlaricon knocked down a trey to tie the game at 19-all.

The tie was short-lived as the Wildcats ran off six-straight to jump back in front. VanBlaricon answered with a pair of threes from the wing before Kalynn Howard scored a jumper to give Bethel a 27-25 lead at the half.

Heart led all players with 11 points at the break to go along with a team-high four rebounds for Bethel. Dunn and VanBlaricon scored nine apiece in the opening 20 minutes with the former adding five boards by intermission.

The defensive intensity continued by both sides into the third quarter as it took nearly two minutes for either team to score from the field with Shelby Little collecting the first bucket to pull the Bruins within a point. However, Bethel found a little offensive consistency from there, knocking down three of their next four field goals to stretch the lead to eight points, 35-27, around the midway point of the quarter.

Bellevue once again answered with a brief run of their own. Dunn kicked off a 7-2 spurt with another three-pointer and Ashtyn Arnold knocked down four free throws over the next 1:25 as BU cut it to a one-possession game. Bethel again countered with a 5-0 run but two more free throw(s) from Arnold saw the Bruins trail just 42-36 headed into the fourth quarter.

Alyia Lee gave Bethel their first double-digit lead of the game, as she stepped outside to knock two a three from the top of the key in the opening seconds of the fourth quarter. That kick-started a 9-2 run as the Wildcats grabbed their largest lead of the game 54-40 with 7:31 remaining to put the game under control.

Dunn finished with a season-high 16 to pace the Bruins who struggled to just 26% shooting but did sank nine three-pointers. Bellevue out-rebounded the Wildcats 35-30.

Hart led all scorers with 20 points for Bethel who shot 35% on the night. Lee and Kylie Reynolds joined her in double figures with 12 points apiece.

Bellevue is back in action tomorrow with their second game of the Holiday Classic against Lindsey Wilson College tipping off at noon.