LATE RUN BY THE MOUNDBUILDERS COSTS THE SWEDES

Lindsborg, Kan. - The Swedes played toe to toe against nationally ranked Southwestern Moundbuilders(10) for thirty two minutes. An 8-0 run late in the second half gave the Moundbuilders enough cushion to pull away for an 84-71 win. 

In the first half, with leading scorer Solomon Clayton sitting in foul trouble for fifteen minutes of the first half, the Swedes relied on Justin Brookens' and Donovan Newton. Brookens would end up shooting from well beyond the arc and Newton found a way to the rim to get the Swedes and the Moundbuilders tied at 43 at half. 

The second half started off going the same pace as the first half, Clayton made a free throw cutting the deficit to three, 66-63, with 8:38 left. The Builders took hold of the momentum just nineteen seconds later when a missed foul shot turned into a 3-point hoop, sparking an 8-0 run.

"That was a big key in the game," said Swede Coach Dan O'Dowd. "Give up a free throw block out and they hit a 3, a possession that should have gotten nothing out of and I think it caused some frustration on our part."

"We didn't come down and execute (our offense), trying to score too quickly - trying to force some things when the defense hadn't moved. Those quick shots led to some transition baskets and that's where they are really strong."

It took Bethany 3:30 to score again and with 4:37 left on the clock Southwestern's run led to a 74-63 lead. The Swedes began to foul the Moundbuilders, where 7 of 8 throws were made to build their lead. 

That frustration led to a shooting percentage of 29.6 in the second half (8 of 27) for Bethany compared to a 48 shooting percentage for Southwestern. Justin Brookens finished with 21 points to lead Bethany and Newton ended with 13. Malcolm Clayton would grab a team-high 6 rebounds.

Up next…

Bethany will be back on the court for a non-conference exhibition matchup on New Year's Eve in Lamoni, Iowa against the Graceland University Yellow Jackets. Tip off is set for 1:00PM. 

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