Wildcats Use Second Half to Edge Out Eutectics

After a 35-35 tie at halftime, the Bethel University Wildcats (Tenn.)(10-2) overcame the Eutectics in a non- conference men's basketball game at the UHSP gymnasium on Tuesday night. The final score was 73-69.

The Eutectics opened the game with two quick triples from Jasmin Suvalija to take a six-point lead before a minute had ticked off the clock. But, the Wildcats quickly gained their footing to score the next six points to tie it up. From there, the teams battled it out for the lead, finally settling on a 35-35 tie at halftime.

Then, upon returning to the floor, Bethel scored the first 10 points of the second half within three minutes to take a sizable lead. After 10 minutes, the Eutectics forced some key turnovers from the Wildcats to creep within striking range after an and-one by Moctar Keita made it 58-56 with 8:17 left. Jasmin Suvalija put together another set of back-to-back triples around the six-minute mark to take the Purple and Gold's first lead of the second half at 63-62. The Euts followed that up with a steal by Brock Davis which set up a layup by Ahian Barnett to go up 65-62 at 5:44. After the Wildcats worked their way back to a 71-66 lead in the final minutes, Davis drained a three to put the score at 71-69 with a minute left in play. But, the Eutectics could not convert on several attempts in the final minute, and the Wildcats would drain two free throws to earn the 73-69 victory over UHSP.

While the Eutectic defense forced 20 Wildcat turnovers while committing only seven of their own, the Visitors outrebounded the home team 54-22.

Jasmin Suvalija led the scoring for the Eutectics with 17 points, including five threes. Ahian Barnett (14), Moctar Keita (10), and Dwight Newsome (10) also scored in double digits for the home team. Newsome also picked up four steals. Brock Davis (8), Yigit Ekinci (6), and Bryant Odunayo (4) accounted for the rest of UHSP's points.

Four Bethel players also reached double figures in scoring with Brennon Marsh picking up a double double with 13 points and 16 rebounds.

The Eutectics are now 5-8 overall. This weekend, the UHSP team will travel to Indiana for a 4 p.m. game at Indiana East (5-6) on Friday, Dec. 20, before an exhibition game on Saturday, Dec. 21, against Indiana State (6-4).