BETHEL WILDCATS AMONG NAIA STATISTICAL LEADERS

 
In the latest NAIA Men's Basketball statistical release, the Bethel College Wildcats find themselves among the nation's leaders in several categories. The 25th ranked 'Cats are #15 in the nation in scoring, averaging 86.5 points per game and rank #20 in scoring margin, outscoring their opponents by 8.9 points per game. The Wildcats are also among the best in rebounding, outrebounding opponents by 6.6 rebounds, which places them #8. The Wildcats are currently 14-6 on the season and 2-1 in Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.
 

Matt Rooks Named KIAC Player of the Week

 
Matt Rooks, the standout senior guard for the Bethel College Wildcats, was named Player of the Week for the week ending January 26. Rooks, the son of Ron and Paula Rooks of Cincinnati Ohio, had an exceptional week as the Wildcats split two games against two strong KIAC foes.

Tuesday, the Wildcats traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to take on Spalding University, currently ranked 36th in the NAIA Division I poll. Despite Rooks' 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, the Wildcats lost a hard-fought 87-74 decision.

Saturday, Bethel, the 25th ranked team in NAIA Division II, hosted KIAC power Berea and used a huge second half run to win 89-71 at Baker Fieldhouse. Rooks led the charge against the Mountaineers with 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal.

For the week he Rooks hit 12 of 22, or 54.5% of his shots, including 6 of 9, or 66.7% of his three-point attempts. He also hit 7 of 8, or 87.5% of his free throws. Rooks was a perfect 5 for 5 on his three-point shots against Berea. For the season, Matt Rooks is eighth in the KIAC in scoring, averaging 15.8 points per game. He recently moved into fifth place in Bethel College career scoring when he passed Matt Kelley's total of 1900 career points.

Rooks is the second Wildcat to earn KIAC Player of the Week honors. David Lester, a sophomore guard from Jackson Tennessee, for the week ending January 12.
 

McKenzie's Rebels Slip By Gleason, Lady Bulldogs Victorious

The first quarter, Kristi Todd led all scorers as she connected on four shots from three-point range to lead Gleason with 12 points, followed by Haley Hudson with four, Tara Newsom with a three-pointer, Bridgett Hill with two and Brittany Griffin with one. McKenzie got two points each from Meagan Bowlin and Amanda Barnes. The second quarter, Hudson led Gleason with four while Griffin added two and Todd scored one. Barnes led McKenzie with three and Kristin Wiggins added two as Gleason took a 29-9 lead into intermission.

The second half, the Lady Rebels were in control and narrowed the margin slightly. The third quarter, Jasmine McMackins led with six points, scored on two shots from three-point range while Julie Smith hit a three-pointer and Barnes added two. Hudson led Gleason with four while Griffin hit a three-pointer and Hill added two. After three, Gleason led 38-20. The final period, Smith hit a three-pointer for the Lady Rebels to lead while Bowlin and Renee Crawley added two each and McMackins added one at the line. Amy Suddath scored two at the line while Hudson added one. Gleason won the game, 41-28.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:
MCKENZIE: Amanda Barnes 7, Jasmine McMackins 7, Julie Smith 6, Meagan Bowlin 4, Kristin Wiggins 2, Renee Crawley 2.
GLEASON: Kristi Todd 13, Haley Hudson 13, Brittany Griffin 6, Bridgett Hill 4, Tara Newsom 3, Amy Suddath 2.
In the night's second game, the Bulldogs took the early lead while the game was tied at intermission. In the third quarter, the Rebels gained a slight edge, but the game went down to the buzzer for a Rebel victory.

The first quarter, Dusty Frazier led the Dawgs with four while Michael McPeak and Ryan Mathis each hit a three-pointer and Ryan Bennett scored two. McKenzie got a three-pointer from Bryan Huffman while John French and Rory Lacey each scored two. After one, Gleason led 12-7. The second quarter, the Rebels came back to tie the game at 19 by intermission. French hit two shots from three-point range and led McKenzie with seven, followed by Brandon Trull with three and Lacey with two. McPeak hit a three-pointer and led Gleason with five while Bennett scored two.

The second half, the Rebels continued to score well and took a slight lead in the third quarter. Lacey hit a three-pointer and led with nine while Jonathan Adkisson hit a three-pointer and scored seven and French added two. McPeak hit a three-pointer as he led Gleason with seven, followed by Frazier, Bennett, Adam Mathis and Lucas Carey with two each. After three, McKenzie led 37-34. The final period, McKenzie led by as much as eight, with the game tied three times and four lead changes. With only seconds remaining, Carey scored two to put the Dawgs up by two, but the Rebels got the ball to Trull who final shot gave McKenzie the victory although Gleason had another opportunity to gain the victory. All shots failed to go in the basket. McPeak led all scorers as he hit two shots from three-point range and scored 12 total points, followed by A. Mathis and Carey with two each and Frazier with one. Huffman led the Rebels with five, followed by Trull with four, Lacey with a three-pointer, Adkisson with two and French with one. McKenzie won the game, 52-51.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:
MCKENZIE: Rory Lacey 16, John French 12, Jonathan Adkisson 9, Bryan Huffman 8, Brandon Trull 7.
GLEASON: Michael McPeak 27, Dusty Frazier 7, Ryan Bennett 6, Adam Mathis 4, Lucas Carey 4, Ryan Mathis 3.