FALCONS UPSET SWEDES IN QUARTERFINALS

Lindsborg, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Women's Basketball Team hosted the Friends University Falcons for the opening rounds of the KCAC Women's Basketball Playoffs.

Things looked to be great when Kisa Unruh opened the game with a three-pointer on the first possession of the contest, but the Falcons would wind up winning the quarter 14-12. The second quarter did not go well for the Swedes as well as Friends would outscore Bethany 12-7 and go into halftime with a 7-point lead.

In the first half, the Swedes were not firing on all cylinders as they shot 21.2% (7 for 33) from the floor and 14.2% (2 for 14) from beyond the arc.

The third quarter was more of the same as the Swedes shot 16.7% in the period including going 0 for 2 from deep.

In the fourth quarter, a completely different Bethany team took the floor as the Swedes went on a 20-3 run and regained the lead 49-48 on an Emily Green jump shot with 1:17 left to play. At this point, Hahn Gymnasium went ballistic cheering on the Swedes. Unfortunately, the Falcons would answer back with a miraculous made layup to retake the lead. On the next possession, the Swedes were unable to drain a three-pointer which proved costly as the Falcons would somehow hit a mid-range jumper to increase their lead to 3. Friends would close it out with two clutch free throws ending Bethany's playoff run early as the Swedes would fall 54-49.

Autumn Garrett would lead the Swedes in scoring with 14 points. Emily Green would lead Bethany in rebounds tallying 10 total rebounds including 7 offensive. R'Manie Pulling would record a game-high 4 assists. Garrett and Green would each nab two steals each.

As a team, the Swedes shot 27.9% from the field and 15.8% from three-point range. Bethany was able record more rebounds (38-29) and assists (12-6) than Friends.

Up Next…

With the loss, the Swedes are out of the KCAC Women's Basketball Playoffs, but still have a chance to get the automatic qualifier for the national tournament if Sterling College wins the postseason tournament. Thursday night was a night of upsets as the No. 2, 3, & 4 seeds all fell in the first round.

~#RockarStockar~