Jan. 2 – PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Bethany College men's basketball team used a balanced attack to earn a 62-46 victory over Chatham University on Saturday afternoon. Andrew Williams (Oil City, Pa./Oil City) led the Bison with 17 points while Liam Davis (Orlando, Fla./Orlando Christian Prep) collected his first career double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bison (7-4, 3-1 PAC) defense stepped up early, holding Chatham (1-10, 1-3 PAC) to three points over the first five minutes of play to take an early lead (6-3).
The Cougars responded with 6-2 run of their own before Zach Nahra (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Mayfield) knocked down a triple to give Bethany an 11-10 advantage with 10:55 remaining.
After exchanging baskets over the next couple minutes, the Bison offense finally found its rhythm. Senior Alan Harper (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic) and Williams both hit three pointers during an 11-0 run which gave Bethany a double-digit advantage (24-14) at the 6:16 mark.
Williams finished the half with a team-high 10 points as the Green & White finished 5-of-10 from behind the arc, taking a 34-21 lead at the half.
Bethany's defense continued to lock down the Cougars in the second period as the Bison never led by less than 11 for the remainder of their game.
The Green & White held Chatham to a .235 field goal percentage, the lowest single-game total since 2008 (Penn State Fayette, .200). Bethany also held Chatham to a season-low for opponents with 16 field goals.
Davis and Antonio Rudolph (New Castle, Pa./New Castle) helped Bethany control the glass with 12 rebounds, each. The Bison outrebounded Chatham 55-44 in the game as Davis set a career high with his rebound total, including five offensive boards.
Along with Williams (17) and Davis (12), sophomore guard Calique Jones (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy) scored 10 points and Rudolph added nine of his own to go along with seven assists.
Harper finished with six points and Nahra added five off the bench.
Bethany College will return to action on Wednesday, January 6 as they welcome Thomas More at 8:00 p.m.
