Bethel senior Emily Ellerbrock scored a game high 24 points, but the Lady Bees basketball team fell short in their non-conference game against Southeastern last week, falling 51-44 at the Beehive.
Finding themselves down double figures for most of the game, the Lady Bees fought back to cut the deficit to one point early in the fourth quarter, but watches as Southeastern finished the game on a 14-8 run to escape with the win.
"We had to fight back from being down so far that we used everything up trying to get back into the game," said Bethel coach Ed Quincel.  "It was a high energy game, and we just ran out of steam in the fourth quarter."
"You know if Emily is asking for a break during the game, they are worn out,"
Southeastern jumped out to an early lead, thanks to a pair of three-points from Amber Rice, but Mercedes Nelson and Ellerbrock scored for the Lady Bees to keep them close, trailing 10-6 after one.
After Bethel hit a three to open the second quarter, the Trojans went on a 11-0 run, with most of the damage from sophomore Jenna Erwin, scoring five points in the run, to give Southeastern a 21-9 lead with 3:13 left in the half.
The Lady Trojans were held to only three points for the remainder of the half, as the Lady Bees scored at the buzzer to go into the intermission trailing 24-15.
"From the midway point of the second quarter, we played good defense tonight," Quincel said.  "They were starting to get their energy level up, and I thought we could get them.  I didn't think Rice would have the type of game she had tonight on us."
In the third quarter, it was Ellerbrock and Erwin doing most of the damage.  Erwin scored seven points in a span of two minutes, to put Southeastern up 33-20.  Not to be outdone, Ellerbrock scored seven points through the first four minutes, and the Lady Bees trailed 33-22.  Krista Burchett and Ellerbrock capped a run at the 3:41 mark, and Bethel only trailed by seven.
The Lady Trojans pushed their lead to 37-26 toward the end of the period, but Ellerbrock ended the period with a 40-footer at the buzzer, giving her 13 points for her period, and Bethel only trailed 37-30.
"The team takes their cues from Emily," Quincel said.  "She is a strong leader for the younger kids who are still learning."
Bethel came out and scored the first six points of the fourth period, to cut the Southeastern lead to 37-36, but that was as close as they got.
Also last week, the Lady Bees lost to Piqua in a non-league contest 52-43.  Piqua jumped out to a 30-23 lead at the half, and went on to the victory.
Ellerbrock again led Bethel with 11 points, while Nelson added eight and Kendal Banks seven. 
Bethel’s game on Thursday night with Miami East was postponed due to the weather conditions.