SWEDES TOPPLE THRESHERS IN WEEKEND CONTEST

North Newton, Kan.- Bethany was on the road, Saturday, November 18, to take on the Bethel College Threshers in their second conference game of the season.

First quarter started off slow for both teams but Bethel was able to take a small lead over the Swedes at 8:08 left in the quarter up by two (4-2). The Swedes tried to respond but struggled to make a basket. Hannah Banko eventually broke the streak and scored a layup over the Threshers to put the Swedes within one at 4-5 with 7:31 left. Both teams continued to try and make shots but nothing was falling.

After a long minute being scoreless, Lauren Gleason finally was able to make a play for the Swedes and scored a layup making the score 6-5 over Bethel with 6:25 left to play. Kylie Dunn, later on, made a steal and finished the play with a layup extending the lead 8-5 over the Threshers with 5:45 left in the quarter. About 20 seconds later, the Swedes once again made an outstanding play after a defensive rebound by Hannah Banko which led to R'Manie Pulling scoring a three-point shot with an assist from Emily Green. Swedes were now up by six with 5:18 left.

The Threshers who were on a scoreless drought for about three minutes finally was able to make a play and scored a layup making the deficient only 4 with 5:11 left. R'Manie Pulling came out of a timeout and quickly made a jumpshot for the Swedes which now led by 6 again (13-7). Before Bethel could respond, Emily Green made another steal which led to a layup for Jaden Newfarmer assisted by Kisa Unruh. The score was now 15-7 in favor of the Swedes with 4:32 left to play. After several missed shots by the Swedes, Bethel was able to score a three, putting them within 5 of the Swedes with 3:34 left to play. Emily Green finally scored for Bethany after making both of her free throws, again Swedes led by 7 (17-10). Bethany wouldn't hit another shot other than a couple of free throws until there was less than a minute to play. Jaden Newfarmer made two layups to put the Swedes up by six at the end of the first quarter. Swedes lead 24-16 going into the second quarter

Kaleigh O'Brien started the scoring for the Swedes after making a layup with 9:21 left to play in the second quarter. Followed by a free throw by Kylie Dunn, making the lead 29-18 with 8:48 left. Makenzie Noll would be the next to score for the Swedes with a free throw of her own making the score now 30-18 with 8:35 left. Makenzie Noll followed that up with a block.

Unfortunately, the Threshers were able to rebound and score to make the lead ten with still 8 minutes to play. Once again, the Swedes were struggling for shots to fall until R'Manie Pulling made a jump shot following two offensive rebounds by Jaden Newfarmer and Lauren Gleason. But the Threshers wouldn't take long to score and hit a three-point shot with 7:10 left to play. The score was now 32-23 in favor of the Swedes. Once again both teams found themselves in a scoring drought for over minutes. Bethel finally broke the streak after making two free throws with 4:56 left in the second quarter. The Threshers followed that up with a made jump shot, putting them within five of the Swedes with 4:17 left.

Bethany would score after almost four minutes of missed shots. Lauren Gleason made two free throws making the score 34-27 with 3:12 left to play. Both teams continued to try and go on a run but neither was having much luck. Threshers managed to get within two of the Swedes after a jump shot and a three pointer with only 31 seconds left on the clock. Swedes tried to extend their lead going into halftime was unable to. Score at the half was 36-34 in favor of Bethany.

Third quarter started with a lead change in favor of the Threshers after a made tip in with 8:16 left in the quarter. Bethany quickly responds with a made layup by Jaden Newfarmer to secure the lead by 1 (38-37) with 7:59 left. After a turnover by the Swedes, Bethel scored a layup to again take the lead with 7:12 left to play. After a foul by the Threshers, Kylie Dunn makes two free throws to take back the lead 40-39.

Not long after was Bethel able to snatch the lead once again after two made free throws, 41-40 with 6:59 left. At which point both teams found themselves in drought until Kisa Unruh was able to score a layup, 42-41, with 5:39 left to play. Bethel was able to tie the game, 42-42, after a made free throw at 5:07 left. The Swedes finally were able to find their rhythm and Lauren Gleason made a layup, 44-42, assisted by Jaden Newfarmer followed by a made jump shot by R'Manie Pulling, 46-42, with 4:24 left in the quarter. Both teams were fighting hard and were keeping the game close as the quarter was winding down. The third quarter came to a close, score was 56-49 in favor of the Swedes.

Fourth quarter was crucial for the Swedes to hold onto and make shots. The Threshers were within six of the Swedes after a made three-point shot with 8:29 left to play, score was 58-52. Bethel quickly followed that up with another made three-pointer to come within 3 of the Swedes at 58-55. Bethany tried to make a run and get out of Bethel's reach after a made free throw by Kylie Dunn, 59-55, and a layup also by Kylie Dunn, 61-55 with 6:28 left in the game.

Once again, the Threshers came knocking after a three pointer which was successful, making the score 63-60 with 4:00 left. Jaden Newfarmer quickly responded and made a layup, 65-60. Bethel again creeped up after a made jump-shot, 65-62 with 3:19 left to play. This time it would by R'Manie Pulling to respond who made a crucial layup, 67-62 with 2:22 left in the game. She would then also score two free throws for the Swedes to extend their lead, 69-62 with less than two minutes on the clock. Emily Green wanted in on the action who made a layup, 71-62 with 1:05 to play. The Threshers refused to give in and scored an additional two points from free throws making the score 71-63 with 22 seconds on the clock. Before the game could end, Kylie Dunn and R'Manie Pulling each scored one from a free throw, making the final score 73-63.

Notable stats from this game include 21 points by R'Manie Pulling, 8 rebounds and 15 points by Jaden Newfarmer, 2 assists and 13 points by Kylie Dunn, and 5 steals by Emily Green.

Up next…

Bethany hosts the Friends University Falcons, Wednesday, November 29th. Tipoff scheduled for 1:45 pm for JV and 6:00 pm for varsity in Hahn Gymnasium.

#RockarStockar!