Bethel Buzzer-Beater Downs Lady Cougars 70-68


	Lady Cougar Basketball Game Recap Bethel Buzzer-Beater Downs Lady Cougars 70-68 written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director Game Boxscore WINONA LAKE, Ind. (3-12-2010) - In a game that featured 56 three-point attempts between the two teams, it was the final shot that made the difference as No. 4 seed Bethel (Ind.) College nipped No. 1 seed and the defending national champion Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s basketball team on a three-pointer at the buzzer in the semifinals of the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament on Friday at the Orthopaedic Capital Center on the campus of Grace (Ind.) College. The game was close throughout with 15 ties and 19 lead changes. The biggest lead of the game was six points by MVNU (20-10), while the Lady Pilots (22-12) held as much as a four-point advantage in the battle between two teams that received votes in the final NAIA Division II poll. The Lady Cougars led for most of the first half including 29-23 with 4:36 to go before MVNU took a slim 33-32 lead to the locker room at the half. Sophomore guard Sierra Fletcher (left) led the Lady Cougars with 13 points in the first half, while junior forward Kelli Pollock added six points. MVNU shot 36.4 percent from the field (12-for-33), 35.7 percent from three-point range (5-for-14), and 66.7 percent from the free throw line (4-for-6). Heather Seyfred led Bethel (22-12) with 12 points in the first half, while Mandy Yoder added seven points. The Lady Pilots shot 32.3 percent from the field (10-for-31), 30 percent from three-point range (3-for-10), and 75 percent from the free throw line (6-for-8). The second half was close throughout as neither team could get any breathing room. With the lead going back and forth on each possession down the stretch, sophomore forward Alexis Harkins gave the Lady Cougars a 68-67 advantage with 13 seconds remaining when she banked in a shot. Bethel elected not to call a timeout and pushed the ball quickly up the court. Seyfred launched a three-pointer from the right corner just ahead of the final buzzer and it went in to give the Lady Pilots a 70-68 victory to send them to the NCCAA national championship game. "I am very proud of our girls and the effort and intensity they showed tonight,” said MVNU coach Steve Gregory. "They were gritty, hard-nosed, and never backed down. They showed great leadership in timeouts and at halftime and were tremendous in their communication on the floor tonight.” "We ran into a very talented, very deep team tonight,” Gregory continued. "We left it all on the floor. While I'm a little heart-broken that we won't repeat, I have nothing but great regard for our girls and the way they represented our university and more importantly our Savior by their words and actions. I'm seeing a group that is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds and it is exciting.” Fletcher finished with a game-high 21 points and four steals to lead MVNU, while junior center Amanda Himes tallied 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds as she exploded for 15 points in the second half to post her 20th double-double of the year. Harkins added nine points, and junior forward Kellie Jokela contributed six points and eight rebounds. The Lady Cougars shot 37.3 percent from the field (22-for-59), 29.2 percent from three-point range (7-for-24), and 73.9 percent from the free throw line (17-for-23). "Amanda got off to a slow start because so much attention was focused on her by Bethel,” said Gregory. "However, she got it going and showed why she is so highly regarded by laying down yet another double-double. Her defense was tremendous as she had to play against perimeter players most of the night. Sierra gave us a huge lift on offense and defense. She slowed down Bethel’s fastbreak and showed tremendous toughness.” "Alexis stepped up tonight and got in the groove when they dropped to zone,” Gregory added. "She cut down the lane and received a pass and put a difficult shot up and in with 13 seconds to go. (Junior guard) Lauren (Johnson), Kelli Pollock, Kellie Jokela, (freshman forward) Emily (Stevely), (sophomore guard) Gabby (Fowler), (freshman guard) Melissa (Eickholt) and the entire bench contributed mightily in this game. I couldn't be more proud of a group for the way they have worked and battled. This team has been a tremendous blessing to me and the entire coaching staff. Yoder and Bekah Basinger both scored 20 points apiece to lead Bethel with Basinger grabbing eight rebounds. Seyfred also finished with 15 points and four three-pointers including the game-winner. The Lady Pilots shot 34.9 percent from the field (22-for-63), 28.1 percent from three-point range (9-for-32), and 77.3 percent from the free throw line (17-for-22). While Bethel will advance to the title game to face No. 7 seed Ecclesia (Ark.) College at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, MVNU will take on No. 6 seed North Greenville (S.C.) College in the third-place game at 3:00 p.m. Ecclesia posted a 53-50 win over North Greenville in Friday’s other semifinal. Friday’s consolation games saw No. 3 Bluefield (Va.) College defeated No. 2 seed Emmanuel (Ga.) College 57-50, while No. 5 seed King (Tenn.) College edged No. 8 Grace 69-68 in overtime.

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