SWEDES GO DOWN SWINGING IN FIRST ROUND EXIT

Wichita, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Women's Basketball team to the road to Wichita, Kansas for their first-round matchup against the 3-seeded Friends University Falcons.

Bethany came out the gate on fire hitting their first 3 shots from the floor to take an 8-4 lead early on. Unfortunately, the Falcons' defense arrived shortly after blocking 4 shots in the first quarter while their offense got it going to take a 19-15 lead by the end of the first period.

The second quarter wasn't too kind to the Swedes as they wouldn't score until the latter half of the period falling behind 30-15 after a couple of Falcon free throws. Kisa Unruh would get the ball rolling with a tough layup followed by a 3-pointer from Lauren Gleason. R'Manie Pulling would cap off the 10-0 run with a made jumper. Friends would score once more before the end of the half to go into the break leading 32-25.

Just like the quarter, the second half did not go well for the Swedes until the latter half of the third quarter after the Swedes found themselves down 45-29, but Bethany would use an 11-3 run to close out the quarter to cut the deficit back down to single digits going into the final period. The Falcons would close it out with a 22-11 difference in the fourth quarter to take this one 70-51.

R'Manie Pulling would lead the way in scoring and assists for the Swedes with 16 and 4, respectively. Jaden Newfarmer would secure 11 rebounds. Colbi Rignell and Kisa Unruh would tie for a team-high 2 steals while Unruh also recorded 2 blocks on the evening.  

This marks the end of the 2023-24 basketball season. The Swedes will take some time to recover before training and gearing up for next year.

~#RockarStockar~