SWEDES’ HUGE 2ND QUARTER FUELS UPSET OVER UNDEFEATED BLEUJAYS

Lindsborg, Kan.- The Bethany College Swedes hosted the Tabor College Bluejays, Saturday, January 13th. The Swedes went into the game with a record of 5-4 in conference and the Bluejays with an undefeated conference record of 9-0.

1^st: It was a rough start for the Swedes after they found themselves down by 9 to 0 to the Bluejays with 7:22 on the clock. Tabor continued to lead the rest of the quarter but the Swedes were able to come within 5 by the end of the first quarter. The score going into the second quarter was 17-12 in favor of the Bluejays.

2^nd: The second quarter belonged to the Swedes who shot 64.7% and outscored the Bluejays 30-13. The Swedes got started with a 3 point shot made by Kisa Unruh, assisted by Colbi Rignell, within the first 30 seconds of the quarter. With another three pointer by Kisa Unruh, assisted by Lauren Gleason, Bethany tied up the game at 20-20 with 8:24 left to play. The Swedes took the lead with 7:52 on the clock after a three pointer by Makenzie Noll and one, assisted by Jaden Newfarmer, making the score 24-20. Tabor tied it up at 5:58 left to play at 26-26. Bethany would take the lead again and go on a run to finish the first half 42-30.

3^rd: The Swedes would maintain their lead most of the third quarter. The Bluejays took flight towards the last three minutes of the quarter came were able to cut the lead down to the 5, 51-46 with 2:35 left in the quarter. Bethany struggled to score and Tabor was able to come within 1 of the Swedes at 51-50 with 27 seconds on the clock. The Bluejays scored again and tied it up with only 8 seconds left, 51-51. But Bethany would respond with a last second jumper by Jaden Newfarmer to finish out the third quarter leading by 2, 53-51.

4^th: The fourth and final quarter would by the deciding factor in this game. Bethany playing scrappy, continued wreaking havoc on the Bluejays' offense who struggled the with turnovers and finishing plays. Bethany hustled to keep their lead which was only by 4 for most of the quarter. Tabor desperate to breakthrough and tie were able to come within 1, 59-60 with less than a minute to play. Kylie Dunn responded by hitting crucial free throws to extend the lead to 3 with 32 seconds left. The Bluejays weren't able to score with their next possession and sent Kisa Unruh to the free throw line where she went 1-1 and the score was now 63-59 in favor of the Swedes. Again, Tabor tried to hit a three pointer on their next possession but were unsuccessful and sent R'Manie Pulling to the line to shoot. She went 1-1 on free throws which put Bethany up by 5, 64-59 with 7 seconds left in the game. Tabor managed to score a layup before fouling R'Manie Pulling again. Pulling hit both of her next two free throws to finish the game with a score of 66-61.

Notable stats include, Kylie Dunn with 9 points, Colbi Rignell with 2 assists, 1 block, and 1 steal, Kisa Unruh with 9 points, Jaden Newfarmer with 8 rebounds, 8 points, and 2 steals, Lauren Gleason with 8 rebounds, 8 points, and 2 assists, Emily Green with 3 steals, 6 points, and 2 assists, and R'manie Pulling with 15 points and 1 block.

Up Next…

Bethany is on the road at York University, Wednesday, January 17^th with a 6pm tipoff.

#RockarStockar!