SWEDES VICTORIOUS OVER VALOR

Lindsborg, Kan.- Bethany hosted the Evangel University Valor, Saturday, December 9^th, at 12pm in Hahn Gymnasium. Going into this matchup, the Swedes were 3-2 in conference play and the Valor were 3-2 in conference play.

1^st: Bethany quickly took the lead over Evangel but the Valor were within one to two possessions until the they tied up the game, 8-8 with 6 minutes to play. Evangel took advantage of the tie and took their second lead of the day, 10-8. Kisa Unruh was sent to the free throw line and score one and missed one making the score 9-10 with just over 5 minutes left in the quarter. Both teams were now experiencing a scoring drought which lasted about four minutes when finally the Swedes broke it with a jump-shot by R'Manie Pulling, assisted by Makenzie Noll, 11-10 with 1:28 on the clock. Before the end of the quarter, the Swedes would score an additional 6 points, thanks to Jaden Newfarmer with a layup and Kaleigh O'Brien with a free throw and layup. End of the quarter, the Swedes led the Valor, 17-10.

2^nd: Bethany came out quickly in the start of the second quarter with a jump-shot by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Colbi Rignell. The Swedes would extend their lead over the Valor with the help of Colbi Rignell and R'Manie Pulling who both made jump-shots. Score was 23-14 with 7:24 left to play. Evangel went on a run that was snapped by a layup by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Hannah Banko. The Valor were within seven, 25-18, with over five minutes to play. Another minor scoreless streak occurred by both teams which lasted about two minutes but the Valor were able to break it and come within 5 of the Swedes, 20-25 with 3:41 left in the quarter. Evangel continued to hit shots and found themselves within 2 of the Swedes, 25-27 with 2:22 on the clock. The Swedes were struggling hitting their shots and were able to maintain a slight advantage over the Valor by free throws.  End of the quarter, the score was 28-31 in favor of the Swedes.

3^rd: The Swedes came out ready in the third quarter for a dogfight with Evangel. Colbi Rignell got Bethany off to a good start with a layup, assisted by Hannah Banko with just over nine minutes to play. Still Evangel was within one possession of the Swedes, until Kisa Unruh nails a three pointer, assisted by R'Manie Pulling, 39-34, with 6:49 on the clock. The Valor continued to hang in with Bethany and were once again within one possession. Bethany would extend their advantage once more with the help of a layup made by Kaleigh O'Brien plus the foul which lead to a three point play after a successful free throw. Score was 42-37 with 4:17 left to play. This would be a critical advantage for the Swedes as they hit their stride and kept the Valor just out of reach but within two possessions. End of the quarter, the Swedes were up by six, 54-48.

4^th: The Swedes came out in the fourth quarter again ready for anything and hungry for the win.  Evangel managed to come within two of the Swedes, 52-54, with 8:40 on the clock. This game was going to come down to the wire. After a couple of minor setbacks for the Swedes, Kaleigh O'Brien makes a successful layup, assisted by Jaden Newfarmer, to add the first points of the quarter for Bethany. But Evangel would respond and take their third lead of the day at 6:14 on clock, score was 57-56 in favor of the Valor. Bethany would come back and tie it up at 59-59 with just over four minutes to play. R'Manie Pulling would swing the advantage towards the Swedes with a made layup, 61-59 with 3:11 on the clock. This would be the deciding factor of the game. Final score, Bethany 66, Evangel 61.

Notable stats include, a three way tie for 2x steals by Makenzie Noll, Emily Green, and Kaleigh O'Brien. Hannah Banko had 5 rebounds. Colbi Rignell had 10 points, and 1 block. 3 Assists by Makenzie Noll. Emily Green had 7 rebounds. Kaleigh O'Brien scored 13 points. And R'Manie Pulling had 5 rebounds and 15 points.

Up Next…

Bethany is on the road, traveling to Fort Hays State University, Saturday, December 30^th with a 2pm tipoff.

#RockarStockar!