SPENCER’S MONSTER DAY NOT ENOUGH; SWEDES END SEASON ONE GAME SHORT OF THE PLAYOFFS

Wichita, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Men's Basketball team took I-135 down to Wichita, Kan. to take on the Friends University Falcons in what was a win-and-get-in game for the Swedes. The Falcons had already clinched the No. 2, so the Swedes were the only team that had something to play for.

The first half was neck-and-neck until the Falcons rattled off eight consecutive points to take a 20-13 lead with 12:48 to go. From there, the lead was stay between four and thirteen points until the 5:30 mark where the Swedes would orchestrate a 16-5 point run to make it 48-46 at the break, only trailing by two.

The Swedes continued their run as they would find themselves up 54-50 over the first five minutes of the period. Unfortunately, the Falcons would start to find momentum and quickly dismiss the Swedes' lead and start to grow their own. The Swedes would do all they could, as they would surpass their season average score of 80.4 ppg, but it wouldn't be enough as the Swedes would fall 105-85.

Devin Spencer had his best night as a Swede in his short career with Bethany scoring 28 points, grabbing six steals, reeling in five rebounds, dishing out three assists and converting 13 out of 15 free throws (87%); all of which were team-highs. Kenny Haynes would drop 22 points going 4-9 from downtown. Ellis Todd would pour in 11 while Emmanuel Akpan would tack on 10 more and swat three shots.

Second chance points played a key in the difference in the second half. The Falcons would grab 9 offensive rebounds leading to 13 points compared to the Swedes four offensive rebounds resulting in two points. Also, the Swedes bench only mustered 16 points compared to the Falcons' 35.

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This marks the end of the season for the men's basketball team. It was a season full of ups and downs that ended just short of the playoffs as the Swedes ended the season tied for 9^th place with a 9-13 conference record and a 12-15 overall record.