DYLAN SMITH LEADS SWEDES TO VICTORY AGAINST (17) COYOTES

LINDSBORG, KAN. - The Bethany College Men's Basketball team hosted the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes for the rivals match up. The Swedes showed up ready to handle business against the Yotes and it showed on the court. 

The Coyotes held a 2-0 lead a minute into the contest and a 7-5 advantage at 16:13, but from that point on it was all Swedes. A 16-0 run boosted the Swedes up 21-7 and by intermission Bethany led 38-23. At the break the Swedes were shooting 50 percent from the field while holding the Coyotes to 23 percent. 

The Swedes continued the trend into the second half increasing the lead 67-39 with 8:33 left on the clock. "We just tweaked some things on offense and defense, our guys bought into it and carried out their assignments," coach Dan O'Dowd said. "We got good minutes from the bench - Samake (Krajnc) defended and rebounded and that's what we need out of him," O'Dowd said. 

Coach O'Dowd also said, "It was a great team effort tonight. I thought we shared the ball, I thought we moved it - made them have to move on defense and break them down. We got some good looks and we shot the ball well - that always helps."

The Swedes worked up a lead and kept it leading to Wesleyan waving the white flag and clearing the bench with more than five minutes to play.

Dylan Smith led the Swedes offense with 16 points and had 9 rebounds. Solomon Clayton tallied 15 points followed by Maurice Cudjo II who scored 12 points off the bench in five minutes. Josh Smith also scored double digit points with 10. 

The Swedes had a 47-26 advantage on the glass, and recorded 21 assists to 7 for the Coyotes. Bethany shot 92.9 percent from the free throw line compared to Wesleyans 62.1 free throw percentage. The Swedes doubled the Coyotes points in the paint with 32. 

Up next…

The Swedes will be back on the court Saturday, January 21st against the Avila Eagles. The Bethany Men will be traveling to Kansas City for a 5:00PM game time start.

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