SWEDES BLAZE PAST BULLDOGS IN DOUBLE DIGIT WIN, 88-64.

Lindsborg, Kan.- Bethany hosted the McPherson Bulldogs, Wednesday, December 6^th with a 6pm tipoff. Heading into the matchup, the Swedes were 2-2 in conference and the Bulldogs were 0-4, both looking for win.

1^st: Even start to the game for both teams. The Swedes were down by one before they took the lead with 7:27 left to play. The score was 4-3. But quickly they were able to extend that lead to three, 8-5 with less than five minutes to play. Bulldogs responded and took back the lead. Swedes were down by four with just over three minutes to play. The Bulldogs tried to hold off the Swedes, but Bethany was right back in it and tied up the game at 12-12 with 2:04 on the clock. Bethany would take back the lead after free throwS made by Makenzie Noll and Emily Green, Swedes led by two, 15-13 with less than a minute in the quarter. That would be the end of the first quarter.

2^nd: Similar to the first quarter, both teams were hitting shots and the score was kept pretty even. McPherson tied up the game at 20-20 with 7:45 left to play. That wouldn't last however, Kaleigh O'Brien would respond with a layup and the foul. Swedes were again in the lead 23-20 with 7:34 on the clock. Bethany pushed to extend the lead and was up by seven with just over six minutes to play. McPherson struggled but put away a few shots to be within one of the Swedes, 27-28 with five minutes to play. At 2:17, the Bulldogs tied up the game once again at 33-33. Several lead changes occurred but the Swedes finished the quarter up by one, 39-38.

3^rd: Bethany came out of halftime hot, with a layup by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Colbi Rignell and a three-point shot made by Kisa Unruh, assisted by Lauren Gleason both within the first minute of the second half. The Swedes wouldn't let up and continued to nail down shots while the Bulldogs were trying to chip away at the lead. With just over six minutes to play, the Swedes were up by seven after a layup by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Emily Green. The score was 54-47. McPherson was trying to snap their scoring drought but Bethany didn't skip a beat, Emily Green would nail down a layup with 5:02 left and jump-shot with 3:55 left to play. The Swedes lead by ten, 59-49, until Kaleigh O'Brien hit a jump-shot, assisted by Emily Green with 1:47 left in the quarter. The final score of the quarter would be 64-49 after a successful three pointer by R'Manie Pulling, assisted by Kaleigh O'Brien. The Swedes outscored McPherson 25-11 in the third quarter alone.

4^th: Bethany dominated the final quarter of the evening, outscoring the Bulldogs 24-15 and shooting 69.2%. Jaden Newfarmer and Lauren Gleason led the Swedes in the beginning of the quarter scoring three and six points within the first three minutes. Score was 73-54 with 6:57 left to play. Lauren Gleason continued to hit shots but Hannha Banko got in on the action, scoring six points within the next three minutes of the quarter. Bethany was ahead, 80-54 with 4:13 on the clock. The Swedes would score eight more points before the end of the game. Final score was 88-64.

Notable stats from this game include Jaden Newfarmer with 3 steals and 4 assists, Lauren Gleason with 24 points and 3 steals, Emily Green with 6 rebounds and 10 points, and Kaleigh O'Brien with 10 points.

Up Next…

The Swedes host the Evangel University Valor this Saturday, December 9^th at 12 and 2pm in Hahn Gymnasium.

#RockarStockar!