Bellefontaine’s girls basketball team used a fourth-quarter rally to open the season with a 44-40 win Saturday at Bethel.
The Bees jumped in front 13-7 after the opening quarter. Bethel went on to lead 22-16 at halftime.
Bethel was two points better in the third quarter (13-11) to build a 35-27 advantage.
The Chieftains stepped up in the fourth quarter to outscore the Bees 17-5 and pull ahead for the win.
Enya Mitchell powered BHS with 14 points, Caitlyn Shumaker had nine points, while Hannah Rader and Lexxi Gorham each added six points.
In junior varsity action, Bethel defeated Bellefontaine 42-20. Katie Pool led the Chieftains with nine points.
Bellefontaine is back on the court Saturday at home against Piqua in non-league action.
BELLEFONTAINE 44, BETHEL 40
BELLEFONTAINE (1-0)
Cait. Shumaker 3 3-7 9; Collier 2 0-2 5; Kenner 1 0-0 2; Rader 1 4-6 6; Gorham 2 0-0 6; Mitchell 5 4-12 14; Neal 1 0-0 2. Totals: 14 11-27 44.
BETHEL (0-1)
Reitlinger 6 1-2 14; Mourman 3 2-4 8; Johnson 1 0-2 2; Gray 3 1-1 8; Wiley 3 2-2 8; Lowery 0 0-2 0. Totals: 16 6-13 40.
Chiefs 7 9 11 17 — 44
Bees 13 9 13 5 — 40
Three pointers: Bellefontaine 3 (Gorham 2, Collier); Bethel 2 (Reitlinger, Gray). Team fouls: Bellefontaine 9; Bethel 19.