LAST-SECOND LAY-UP DOOMS SWEDES

McPherson, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Men's Basketball team took State Highway 81 down to McPherson, Kansas for their second matchup with the McPherson College Bulldogs. The Swedes were looking to even up the season series.

Things would remain tight as neither team would be able to obtain a two-possession lead until after the halfway point of the first half where McPherson would look to gain momentum. That lead would be short-lived as Maurice Cudjo II would quickly trim that lead back to 4 points followed by JR Cison making a jumper to make it 24-22. Scoring would proceed to go back-and-forth until the 2-minute mark where the Bulldogs would rattle of 6 consecutive points to go into the break up 42-33.

The Swedes would come out slow in the second period falling behind 51-36 three minutes into the half. Bethany would then go on a tear over the next 10 minutes to ultimately tie it up at 59-59 with just over 7 minutes left to play. The Bulldogs would hit a mid-range jumper, but Maurice Cudjo II would hit a shot from downtown and from inside the arc to give the Swedes the lead 64-61. Both teams would trade baskets until 1:46 left to play, but the Bulldogs would score four more points including a layup with seven seconds left to take the lead for good as the Swedes would fall 77-76.

Maurice Cudjo II would lead the way with 22 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a new career-high 7 steals. JR Cison would tally 18 points, 3 assists, and 4 steals. Ty Eugene would pour in 14 more points. Will Dominguez would swat away 2 Bulldog shots.

Bethany took care of the basketball only committing 9 turnovers compared to the Bulldogs 21 leading to a 25-11 difference in points off turnovers.

Up Next…

The Swedes are set to take the dreaded 5 hours trip to Springfield, Missouri to take on the Evangel University Valor. Tipoff is set for 7:30PM.