SWEDES VICTORIOUS AFTER OVERTIME WIN AGAINST BULLDOGS

McPherson, Kan.- The Bethany College Swedes were on the road, Saturday, February 10^th in McPherson to take on the McPherson College Bulldogs. The Swedes came into the game with a record of 10-7 and the Bulldogs with a record of 2-15.

1^st: To start off the first quarter, McPherson took the early lead 0-6, 8:19 on the clock, but Bethany would respond with a layup by Hannah Banko to kickstart the game for the Swedes. The Swedes would take their first lead at 5:46 left to play after a successful jumpshot by Jaden Newfarmer, 10-8. From there Bethany would continue to extend their lead, outscoring the Bulldogs, 23-18 in the first quarter.

2^nd: The Bulldogs would come out in the second quarter to quickly tie the Swedes at 25-25 with 8:10 on the clock. The Swedes once again would take the lead after a three-pointer by Kisa Unruh, assisted by Kaleigh O'Brien, 28-26, with 6:47 left to play. Bethany continued to maintain control by hitting critical shots until McPherson was able to come within one of the Swedes, 36-35 with 2:21 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs managed to take the lead over the Swedes, 36-37 with just under a minute left in the half which gave the Swedes enough time to take the lead back going into halftime. The score at the end of the second quarter was 38-37, Bethany up by 1.

3^rd: The third quarter was kickstarted with several lead changes and two ties, but the Bulldogs came away with the lead in which they were ablet to extend to two possessions, 42-47, with 7:12 on the clock. Bethany would chip away at the lead and stay within one possession of McPherson until the Bulldogs went up by five again, 49-54, with 3:53 left in the quarter. Both teams battled but McPherson hung on to finish the quarter up by five, 57-62.

4^th: Swedes had a quick respond in the beginning of fourth quarter with a made three point shot by Kylie Dunn, 60-62, with 8:22 on the clock. Bethany followed up that play with another three-pointer made by Kisa Unruh, 63-63, with 7:13 to play and took back the lead at 68-66 with 6:15 left to play. However, both teams would struggle to contain the other's offense and would result in several ties. The Bulldogs managed to take the lead, 72-71, with 3:31 on the clock. McPherson extended the lead to six, 73-79, with 2:15 left to play. The Swedes came within two of the Bulldogs, 79-81, with 50 seconds left in the game. Bethany tied up the game with 36 seconds on the clock at 81-81 and then took the lead, 83-81 with 12 seconds in the game. McPherson hit a last second layup to send the game into overtime, the score was 83-83.

OT: The Bulldogs came out quickly at the beginning of overtime to establish a lead but the Swedes wouldn't go down without a fight. The first two minutes of overtime showcased two ties and two lead changes. Bethany took the lead in which they would hold onto at 90-89 with 2:37 left on the clock. The Swedes maintained control for the rest of the game and finished 99-92.

Notable stats include, Kylie Dunn with 24 points, Jaden Newfarmer with 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 18 points, R'Manie Pulling with 5 assists, 9 points, and 2 steals, Hannah Banko with 8 rebounds, 1 steal, and 17 points, Lauren Gleason with 11 points, Colbi Rignell with 1 block and 4 steals, and Emily Green with 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Up Next…

Bethany will be on the road Wednesday, February 14^th in Springfield, MO., to take on the Evangel University Valor. The Valor have a matching conference record of 11-7. Tipoff scheduled for 5:30pm.

#RockarStockar!