McKENZIE, Tenn. – Marcia Reed scored five of her 18 points in the final 30 seconds of play as the Martin Methodist Women's Basketball team upset No. 16 Bethel (Tenn.) Saturday afternoon, 77-75, at Crisp Arena.
Trailing by one, Reed swished home a bucket with just under 30 seconds left in the contest and converted the ensuing free-throw to put the RedHawks (8-4, 2-1 SSAC) ahead 73-71 with 25 seconds remaining.
After the Lady Wildcats (10-3, 2-1 SSAC) went 1-of-2 at the free throw line, they fouled Brooklyn Blanchard and the RedHawk point guard converted both free throws to put the RedHawks ahead 75-72.
Ahead by three, Reed forced a Lady Wildcat turnover and collected the steal. From there, she went to the free throw line and swished home both attempts to put the RedHawks ahead by five with seven seconds to play.
The Lady Wildcats drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to pull within two, but the RedHawks claimed the victory.
The win marked the first victory by the RedHawks versus a ranked opponent this season. The win also marked the third straight road win in the series for the RedHawks. Bethel owns a 44-3 record in SSAC home games, but all three losses have come from Martin Methodist.
Reed's 18 did not lead the way, but her all-around performance led to her being named SSAC Women's Basketball Player of the Week.
The freshman finished with nine rebounds, four steals and two blocks, while shooting 6-of-11 from the floor and 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.
Fellow freshman Faith Sherrow, who went to high school less than an hour away from Bethel, finished with a game-high 20 points. Sherrow was deadly from downtown for the RedHawks as she connected on 4-of-7 shots from distance. She finished the day 6-of-12 from the floor and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line.
Blanched finished behind Sherrow and Reed with 16 points.
Morgan Martin led the Lady Wildcats with 19.
Martin Methodist returns to action Monday afternoon for another SSAC showdown versus Blue Mountain (Miss.). The contest marks the final matchup before the Christmas break for the RedHawks.
Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. in Blue Mountain, Mississippi.
