SWEDES COULDN’T CLOSE OUT BLUEJAYS; PLAYOFF CHANCES IN JEOPARDY

Hillsboro, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Men's Basketball team took the road to Hillsboro, Kan. to take on the Tabor College Bluejays in what felt like a must-win for the Swedes.

The first half was all Swedes as they would score their most in a half during conference play this season with 51 while allowing 40 points to the Bluejays to go into halftime leading by 11. The second half was a different story as the Swedes were plagued by poor shooting from beyond the arc (14.3%) and the charity stripe (59.1%). Ultimately, the Bluejays were able to tie it up at 95 with three free throws made with just 1.2 left remaining in regulation. The Swedes would finally figure it out at the free throw line, but would shoot 22.2% from the floor including 0-4 from three-point range mustering only 11 points compared to the Bluejays 15 resulting in a draining 110-106 loss for Bethany.

Emmanuel Akpan would have a fantastic game with 29 points, 18 rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in 43 minutes of action. Kenny Haynes would tack on 26 more going 6-15 from downtown. Maurice Cudjo II scored 15 points and led the team in steals with three. Devin Spencer would drop 12 points and a team-high four assists.

This loss drops the Swedes to 7-12 in KCAC play placing them in a tie for ninth-place in the conference standings. The Swedes will need to win at least two of their remaining three games to have a chance at the eighth and final spot for the playoffs. The Swedes remaining games are at home against Evangel University (8^th in KCAC), home against Kansas Wesleyan University (T-9^th), and away at Friends University (2^nd).

Up Next…

As mentioned earlier, the Swedes have a tough remaining schedule. Up first, the Evangel University Valor who sit in the eighth spot in the KCAC standings at 9-10 in conference play. Tipoff is set for 3:00 PM on Saturday, February 15, in Hahn Gymnasium following the completion of the women's contest.