Wildcats’ Stellar Second Half Secures Victory over Eutectics

MCKENZIE, TENN. – After a quick break for the holidays, the Eutectic men's basketball team was back in action on Friday night in Tennessee, taking on the Bethel University Wildcats (13-2) for a non-conference game. The UHSP team shot an impressive 59.1% (including 7-for-9 from the arc) in the first half, but gave up 12 turnovers to the Wildcats, allowing for a 44-37 home-team lead at halftime. Then, the Wildcats owned the second half, shooting at 71.4% (25-for-35) to pull away from the Eutectics with a lopsided 61-32 second-half tally and secure the victory with a final score of 105-69.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

• Landon Engelage surpassed 20 points for the fifth time this season, draining six-of seven triples (85.7%), going 8-for-10 from the field, and sinking his lone free throw for a total of 23 points.
• Engelage accounted for four of UHSP's seven made-threes in the first half, as the Eutectics went 13-for-22 from the floor. They matched the Wildcats in total rebounds (15), but Bethel's 10 offensive rebounds and 12 steals allowed the home team 18 more shot attempts to give them the advantage in the first half.
• The Wildcats improved their seven-point lead to a 20-point lead in the first five minutes of the second half (59-39), scoring on every offensive possession. They used the momentum to take a 30-point lead with nearly 10 minutes left in the game. (75-44).
• After shooting 40% in the first half, the home team finished with an average 54.7%, including 55% for threes. The Eutectics finished the game shooting 46.4% overall and 50% for threes. Bethel outrebounded the Euts 33-28 and forced 23 UHSP turnovers while giving up only six.
• Engelage led all scorers with his 23 points while also leading the Eutectics in rebounds with five. Justin Coleman also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points. Bryant Odunayo pitched in four points and four assists. Brennen Walker (9), Jasmin Suvalija (7), David Moore (6), Christian Harwood (4), Braylon Rios (3), and Carmello Bostwick (2) also scored for UHSP.
• Six Wildcat players scored in double digits with Brayden Nunnally leading them all with 18 points.

UP NEXT:

The Eutectics, now 3-11, will remain in Tennessee on Saturday, travelling to Nashville to take on the Fisk University Bulldogs (3-14) at 3:00 p.m.