GEORGETOWN, Ky. — WVU Tech men's basketball opened with a strong punch and stayed competitive for long stretches against No. 15 Bethel before falling 74–52 Saturday afternoon at the Jim Reid Classic hosted by Georgetown College.
The Golden Bears (1–5) seized early control, scoring the first six points and holding a 9–5 lead behind sharp interior play and disciplined defense. Tech maintained the advantage for more than four minutes and limited Bethel to just 13 made field goals in the opening half. The Wildcats entered the day averaging nearly 83 points per game, but WVU Tech held them to 31 first-half points and forced long, contested possessions throughout the period.
Bethel (4–1) used size and second-chance opportunities to edge ahead before halftime, taking a 31–23 lead into the break. WVU Tech, however, remained firmly in the fight — and did so in ways few opponents have this season. The Golden Bears finished with 43 rebounds, keeping the final margin to just –4 against a Bethel squad that typically enjoys a dominant +16 rebounding margin. Tech's 13 offensive boards also far exceeded the Wildcats' season average of allowing only 6.4 offensive rebounds.
The Golden Bears continued to push in the second half, climbing back within two possessions several times as Max Morgan, Brandon Moore, and Cole Chapman sparked the offense. Tech shot 47.8 percent from the field after halftime — again better than what Bethel normally allows — and held the Wildcats below their season averages in field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and total scoring. The 74 points allowed marked Bethel's second-lowest output of the season.
Moore paced WVU Tech with 14 points, scoring seven in each half while adding three rebounds. Morgan delivered one of his most efficient outings of the year, finishing a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor for 12 points, three rebounds and a steal. Chapman anchored the backcourt with 10 points, nine rebounds and two assists, nearly recording a double-double while playing a key role in Tech's transition defense.
Roman Kellum added five points, Jackson Tackett scored four and went 4-for-4 from the line in the first half, and Roee Dinnar and Trayten Woods supplied valuable minutes off the bench. WVU Tech also produced 13 points off turnovers and kept Bethel to just one made three-pointer in the first 20 minutes.
Despite the final margin, WVU Tech showed clear growth against a ranked opponent, outperforming Bethel's typical defensive metrics and matching one of the nation's best rebounding teams nearly board for board.
📊 Season Totals (through Nov. 15)
Record: 1–5 overall
Team Averages
- Points per game: 75.5
- Rebounds per game: 36.3
- Assists per game: 13.8
Field Goal %: 46.6 | 3PT %: 34.1 | FT %: 70.4
Team Leaders
🗓 What's Next
WVU Tech continues non-conference action Friday, Nov. 21 at the Bevo Francis Classic when they meet Campbellsville University.
