Lady Pioneers Drop Season Opener to #21 Bethel

MCKENZIE, TN - Crowley's Ridge opened their 2018-2019 season at Bethel University against the #21 Lady Wildcats on Monday night. The Lady Pioneers stuck with the nationally ranked team for the first quarter, but ultimately could not keep up.

The Wildcats jumped to an early 12-0 lead before the Pioneers began to claw their way back. Thanks to a pair of made free throws by sophomore Nakeeva Brandon, Crowley's Ridge cut the deficit to just five points (19-14) with 1:34 to play in the first quarter. After a couple of Bethel free throws and a two-point bucket, the Pioneers ended the quarter trailing 23-14.

In the second quarter, Myah Taylor and the Wildcats put on a three-point shooting clinic. Taylor hit five shots from beyond the arc just in the second quarter to extend Bethel's lead at halftime 47-19.

Despite a late surge by senior Elly Burrell with seven points in a row for the Lady Pioneers in the third quarter, Crowley's Ridge could not mount a comeback and fell 106-47.

The Pioneers will travel to Ecclesia College on Thursday and John Brown on Saturday before returning back to The Ridge for their home opener on Tuesday, November 6 against Philander Smith.