SWEDES LOSE IN OVERTIME TO FALCONS

LINDSBORG, KAN. - The Bethany College Men's Basketball hosted the Friends University Falcons for the first home game of 2023. The Swedes started off on the right foot as usual, but were unable to keep up the pace in the second half, losing in overtime 84-87. 

The Swedes started off with the momentum with steals from Dylan Smith and Justin Brookens leading to a couple three point shots made by Jah-kez Moore and layups made by Brookens and Smith. Solomon Clayton had a few assists and a block early in the first half. The Swedes were moving the ball and playing like a team, leading to the Swedes being up at half 45-36. 

The Falcons came out the second half and started slowly chipping away at the score. The Swedes momentum was not consistent and only happened in spurts, allowing the Falcons back in the game. Friends took advantage of the free throws they were taking whereas the Swedes struggled on the free throw line. The Swedes were still up 60-53 with 12:11 left on the clock after a three point shot made by Smith. The game seemed to shift in favor of the Falcons once there was 5:23 left on the clock. Friends made a three point shot making the score 71-70 and was followed up with a layup, putting the Falcons up 72-71. Brookens turned around and made a three, updating the score 74-72. The score stayed stagnant until the clock read 3:38 when Friends made a free throw, making the score 74-73. Friends then tied the game up with 2:19 left on the clock by making another free throw. Josh Smith followed up by making two free throws of his own, making the score 76-74 with a couple minutes left in the game. A tech allowed Friends to stay within two points of the Swedes followed by a layup that tied the game up once again, 78-78 right before the second half ended, leading to overtime. 

The Falcons stay in rhythm and go up by five with a couple layups and a freethrow. The Swedes attempted to come back with efforts from Malcom Clayton who made a layup and a free throw followed by a steal, making the score 84-85. But the Falcons took advantage of the fouls and made their free throws, leading to the final score of 84-87.

Bethany had a 42.7 shooting percentage and shot 31.3 percent from behind the three point line. Bethany shot 55.6 percent from the free throw line. The Swedes scored 22 points off turnovers compared to the Falcons who scored 9 points from turnovers. 

Up next…

The Swedes will be back on the wood this Wednesday, January 18th against rivals Kansas Wesleyan University. The home game is set to start at 8:00PM. The game will be a blue out.

#RockarStockar