SWEDES UNABLE TO FEND OFF FALCONS

Lindsborg, Kan.- Bethany hosted the Friends University Falcons Wednesday, November 29, for a six o'clock tipoff in Hahn Gymnasium.

1st Quarter: The Falcons were the first to put points on the board but the Swedes weren't far behind only trailing by a basket or two within the first minute of the game. Unfortunately for the Swedes, they would be playing catchup with the Falcons for the rest of the quarter who continued to hit critical shots. Swedes found themselves down by six after a made three-point shot by Friends with 7:43 left to play. Several failed shot attempts for both teams occurred until Bethany sent the Falcons to the free throw after a foul which put them down by seven with 6:19 left in the quarter. Bethany struggled to hit shots which led to the Falcons scoring again making the score 13-4 with just under six minutes to play. Bethany would take a timeout at 4:49 left, trailing by 11 points. Swedes regrouped and kept the Falcons from scoring with a block from Jaden Newfarmer which led to a rebound and a defensive foul sending the Swedes to the free throw line. R'Manie Pulling would break the scoreless streak for the Swedes, making both her free throws. The score was now 6-15 with 4:04 left to play. Pulling would be the only Swede to score again in the quarter. End of the quarter score was 14-24, with the Swedes trailing by 10 points.

2nd Quarter: Slow start to the second quarter until the Falcons were able to score with 8:53 left to play. This would be quickly followed up with a layup by Kaleigh O'Brien, assisted by R'Manie Pulling. Two minutes go by without scoring until Kisa Unruh hits a three pointer, assisted by Kaleigh O'Brien, putting the Swedes within seven of the Falcons. Friends finally ended their scoring drought with a made free throw with 5:44 left in the quarter. The Falcons were able to find their footing and continued to push points, extending their lead over the Swedes. Bethany chipped away at the lead with a three pointer from R'Manie Pulling, assisted by Kylie Dunn with 2:10 left to play. The Swedes were within five points, 27-32. But Friends responded with a three-point shot of their own. With 30 seconds left to before halftime, Swedes were down by ten points, 27-37. Bethany missed a couple of scoring opportunities and Friends made a last second jump shot to finish the second quarter, 39-27.

3rd Quarter: Bethany came out of the gate hot with a made three-pointer from Kylie Dunn, assisted by Colbi Rignell within seconds of starting the quarter. Unfortunately for the Swedes, the Falcons would respond and keep Bethany out of reach of tying or taking a lead. Bethany would find themselves down by about 13 points most of the third quarter, 16 being the largest deficient of the game so far. End of the quarter, Swedes were down 38-54.

4th Quarter: Friends extended their lead to 18 at the start of the final quarter. 19 points would be the deficient in which the Swedes found themselves down with 7:20 left to play. The Falcons dominated the floor and extended their lead to 20 with just under six minutes to play. Bethany struggled offensively to get a rhythm started. Swedes once again chipped away at the lead but couldn't stop the Falcons. Final score 51-69.

Notable stats from the game include, 21 points and 7 rebounds by R'Manie Pulling, 3 steals and 9 rebounds by Emily Green, 8 rebounds and 6 points by Lauren Gleason.

Up Next…

The Swedes travel to Salina, Kan., this Saturday, December 2nd, to take on the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes with a 5:00 pm tipoff.

#RockarStockar!