SWEDES LEFT FRUSTRATED AFTER LOSS TO FALCONS

Wichita, Kan.- The Bethany College Swedes were on the road, Saturday, February 3^rd in Wichita to take on the Friends University Falcons. The Swedes came into the game with a record of 10-4 and the Falcons with a record of 12-2.

1^st: The first quarter marked a dominate performance by the Swedes who outscored the Falcons, 19-9. Bethany started slow but grew a lead of six, 10-4, with 6:01 left to play after a successful field goal by Lauren Gleason, assisted by Colbi Rignell. At which point both teams struggled with a slight scoring drought which lasted almost two minutes. Emily Green ended the Swedes drought with a three pointer, 13-7, assisted by R'Manie Pulling with just over four minutes to play. The Swedes continued to expand their lead before the end of the quarter. The score at the end of the first quarter, 19-9 in favor of the Swedes.

2^nd: Friends would respond to Bethany's dominating first quarter by outscoring the Swedes, 28-15 in the second quarter. The Swedes found themselves tied with the Falcons, 19-19, with 7:18 on the clock. Friends then took the lead over Bethany which lasted about a minute and half before the Swedes took it back, 23-22, with a made jump-shot by R'Manie Pulling with 5:39 left to play. Bethany grew that lead to six, 30-24 with about four minutes left on the clock. The Falcons spent the next couple of minutes to chip away at the lead and with just over a minute left in the half took the lead, 32-35. The score at the end of the second quarter was 34-37, Friends up by three.

3^rd: The second half would be critical for the Swedes in order to pull off the upset. Unfortunately, the Swedes wouldn't be able to outscore the Falcons in the third quarter, 15-21. The Swedes came out hot in the first two minutes of the third quarter, tying up the game at 40-40 with just over eight minutes left. Lauren Gleason would put the Swedes back ahead by two, 42-40, after two made free throws with 6:33 to play. The Falcons would soon take over and go on a run and extending their lead to ten. The score at the end of the third quarter was 49-58 with the Falcons up by nine.

4^th: In the fourth quarter, the Swedes went to work to chip away at the lead and were within four of the Falcons, 59-63, with 5:21 left on the clock. Friends quickly extended the lead back to eight, 59-67, with 4:08 left to play. Once again Bethany regrouped and were within four, 63-67, with just a little over three minutes to play. It wasn't until 2:04 when the Falcons once again extended their lead, would the Swedes be unable to come back and take the win. Final score was 66-75 in favor of the Falcons.

Notable stats include, Lauren Gleason with 3 steals, 3 assists, 11 points, and 9 rebounds, Jaden Newfarmer with 9 rebounds, 10 points, 3 assists, and 1 steal, R'Manie Pulling with 18 points, 6 assists, 1 steal, and 2 rebounds, Emily Green with 6 points, 1 steal, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists, Kylie Dunn with 8 points and 2 steals, and Kisa Unruh with 1 steal, 1 block, 2 assists, 3 points, and 2 rebounds.

Up Next…

Bethany will be hosting our rivals, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes, Wednesday, February 7^th for National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The Coyotes have a conference record of 10-6. Tipoff scheduled for 6pm. Show support for our Swedes by participating in our Blue-Out Night!

#RockarStockar!