SWEDES JUST MISSED THE MARK WITH LOSS TO KWU

Salina, Kan.- Bethany was on the road playing the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes, Saturday, December 2nd . The Swedes were 4-5 overall going into the match as well as KWU.

1st : Slower start for the Swedes with Hannah Banko picking up the first points from a jumper making the score, 2-1, with 7:59 left to play. The lead held until the Coyotes scored at the 5:27 mark but was quickly followed up with a three point shot by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Kylie Dunn with 5:09 left in the quarter, score 5-3 in favor of the Swedes. KWU took back the lead after two successful free throws and a made three pointer making the score, 8-5 in favor of the Coyotes with 4:01 left. The Swedes struggled with committing fouls and turnovers which sent KWU back to the free throw line for another pair of successful free throws, score was now 10-5 in favor of KWU with 3:34 left to play. At around the three minute mark, Bethany came alive with a jump shot by Jaden Newfarmer who followed that up with a steal and another jump shot. The Swedes didn't stop there, they took the lead back after a steal by R'Manie Pulling that led to a 2 pt. field goal by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Kisa Unruh. It was 11-10 going into just over a minute left to play, when R'Manie made a jump shot and then was sent to the line for free throws. The Swedes were now ahead 14-10 with 47 seconds on the clock. Bethany lit it up with another 4 points scored going into the second quarter. End of the quarter score was 18-12 with the Swedes ahead by 6.

2nd: This quarter, unfortunately would by controlled by the Coyotes. After shooting 57.1% in the first quarter, Bethany would only shoot 17.6% this quarter and would be outscored 21 to 10 points by KWU. The Swedes would struggle with a scoring drought until almost halfway through the quarter. Kisa Unruh would end the scoreless streak with a successful three pointer, assisted by Emily Green with 5:23 left to play with the score, 21-22. Bethany was struggling to make shots while the Coyotes were slowing and consistently making plays. With 2:23 left play, Kylie Dunn would make a three point shot, assisted by Jaden Newfarmer, making the score, 25-24. But KWU would take back their lead and extend it while Bethany went on another scoreless streak until Emily Green would hit a last second, three, to finish out the quarter. The score going into halftime was 28-33 in favor of the Coyotes.

3rd: Returning from halftime, the Swedes would dominate the third quarter, shooting 66.7% and outscoring the Coyotes, 21 to 16. The action would be kickstarted seconds into the third quarter with a jump shot by Kisa Unruh. The game would be tied up following a jump shot by Colbi Rignell at 33-33 with 8:28 left to play. The Coyotes struggled to defend the goal due to several Swedes who's hands were hot including Kisa Unruh who scored another jump shot and Hannah Banko who came in clutch with a three pointer. Score was 38-33 with just over seven minutes left. The pace of the game would slow down with both teams struggling to make shots until around the 5:38 mark. Coyotes would score but Kylie Dunn got into the action with a 2 pt. field goal of her own, score was now 40-35 with just over 5 minutes left to play. Lauren Gleason would score next with a three pointer, 43-37, followed by a three pointer by R'Manie Pulling, 46-39. And again, R'Manie Pulling would put up another successful three, 49-39, with 2:47 left to play. This would be the last basket, the Swedes made going into the fourth and final quarter. The score was 49-49.

4th: Final quarter of the night would be a battle for both teams who had been a pretty even match up thus far. KWU would trail Bethany until they were able to tie it up at 54-54 with 6:40 on the clock. Both

teams would take turns with a slight lead over the other for several minutes until the Coyotes hit a jumper with 3:42 left to play which gave them the lead by one, at 60-59. Coyotes scored another point with a made free throw, now 61-59 over the Swedes with just over 3 minutes left to play. Bethany finally tie the game up at 61-61 with 2:40 left in the game. But fouls would be the deciding factor in this game. The Swedes fouled several times, which sent the Coyotes to the free throw line where they were able to take a lead and extend it. KWU would outscore the Swedes 22-17 in the fourth quarter with Bethany shooting only 33.3%. Final score of the game was 71-66 in favor of the Coyotes.

Notable stats from this game include, R'Manie Pulling scoring 13 points with 2 steals, Lauren Gleason scoring 12 points with 8 rebounds, Kylie Dunn scoring 12 points, and Jaden Newfarmer with 2 steals and 3 assists.

Up Next…

Bethany hosts the McPherson College Bulldogs, Wednesday December 9th, and the Evangel University Valor, Saturday December 12th. Wednesday night tipoff scheduled for 6pm in Hahn Gymnasium.

#RockarStockar!