Men's Basketball: Tomcats hang on to defeat Bison

Drew VonScio, Student Assistant for Athletic Communications 

GREENVILLE, Pa. – Coming off of their second win of the season, the Bethany men's basketball team was looking to make it two-in-a-row. Unfortunately, the Green and White could not make it happen as Thiel claimed victory by a score of 69-60.

Troy Hixson got the Bison on the board 40 seconds into the first half with a floating jumper to knot the contest up 2-2. The teams traded points back-and-forth early on as Dailey also posted a jumper of his own. Bethany would then enter a scoring drought for several minutes as a result of not getting shots to fall. Fortunately, the Bethany defense kept it close for Dailey to post a layup and cut the deficit down to one. Freshman Cody Davis gave the Green and White a spark off the bench with a three-pointer. Bethany quickly fell behind by five and used much of the first half to try and play catch up starting with a Chance Wells layup. Dailey once again cut the Tomcat lead down, this time to three. Quinn Hiles drained a triple from the left wing to give the Bison some life. A layup from Wells kept the Bison with one possession. Strong defense from the Green and White along with a lack of execution from Thiel continued throughout much of the first half as Dailey connected from outside the arc to get the game within two scores. The Tomcats would use some late life to go into the locker room ahead 30-22.

Dailey got Bethany on the board just over two minutes into the second half with a layup. The PAC foes would trade score-for-score as a battle ensued between Thiel going ahead by double-digits and Bethany getting it back to within single-digits highlighted by a Hixson three. Bethany stayed hot from outside the arc when Wells added one of his own. The Tomcats proceeded to go on a 6-2 run to pull ahead by as many as 14 before the Green and White started to chip away once again. Wells, Dailey, and Hixson would keep the Bison floating as the Tomcats continued to rack up the points as the second half wound down. With just under seven minutes left, Bethany pulled within two possessions courtesy of a jumper from Wells. A pair of Dailey free throws and another Hixson three got the Bison with just a single point as their late-game magic started to work its course again. Those dreams were quickly squashed as the Tomcats went on an 8-0 run to seal the fate for the Bison. Bethany fought over the remaining few minutes, but the damage was done as Thiel held on to win 69-60.

Dailey once again led the Bison with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Hixson and Wells both posted 14 points. Hixson pulled in eight boards while Wells added four. Bethany is back at home Saturday afternoon for a rematch against Chatham inside Hummel Fieldhouse with tip-off scheduled for 3 p.m.