McKENZIE, Tenn. – At Crisp Arena, the homestanding Wildcats avenged an early-season loss to the Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team, pulling away late in the second half en route to a 92-83 decision.

Bethel got the Blue Raiders into foul trouble on Saturday afternoon, resulting in 42 attempts from the free throw line by the 'Cats. When everything was said and done, the hosts had converted on more foul shots than field goals, 33-28.

Lindsey Wilson, on the other hand, turned in a solid effort from the charity stripe, finishing 12-for-13. The locals, however, could not fend off their competition down the stretch, despite a promising start to the second half.

After Bethel went into the locker room at halftime leading, 47-37, the Blue Raiders got their gears grinding in the initial moments following. The Wildcats scored the first two points of the frame, but then the visitors pieced together a 13-point swing, which was capitalized by a Jamie Strong three-pointer, to snatch a 50-49 advantage with 17:45 on the clock.

Lindsey Wilson's mid-season transfer connected on four of his game-high five long-distance shots in the second half, helping to keep the Blue Raiders within striking distance.

The Wildcats eventually clawed back at Lindsey Wilson with a 22-13 stretch, during which Strong knocked down a trio of three-pointers, but Bethel continued to shoot lights out at the line and made all 13 of their 15 free throws in the second half over the final 15 minutes.

Strong paced the Blue Raider offense with 15 points. It is now the third consecutive game he has posted the team's highest point total. Elijah Jordan contributed 14 points, seven assists and two steals, including eight points in the first half, and Connor Robinson improved his double-digit scoring streak to nine games after chipping in 10 in 24 minutes.

In the first half, the Wildcats led by as many as 17 points with 2:16 remaining. An 11-4 run by Lindsey Wilson cut into that deficit partially to trim it down to 10 by the break.

The locals return to Columbia next week for another set of Tennessee-based opponents. Lindsey Wilson will first host Tennessee Southern on Thursday before welcoming Cumberland on Saturday.