SWEDES SUFFER FIRST CONFERENCE GAME TO SPIRES IN DOUBLE OT

Leavenworth, Kan. – On Thursday, the Bethany College Swedes Women's Basketball Team traveled to Leavenworth, Kansas to take on the University of Saint Mary Spires in a double overtime thriller.

Emily Weathers broke open the scoring with two free throws. The Spires would follow up with two free throws followed by a layup from Weathers and one from Kylie Dunn to take a 6-4 lead. Bethany would close the first quarter with a 28-16 lead. Saint Mary would cut their deficit down single-digits two minutes into the quarter, but the Swedes would take a 14-point lead into halftime.

To open the second half of play, Emily Weathers would knock in a mid-range jumper followed by a Lauren Gleason made layup to make it 51-33. The Spires would utilize a 13-6 run to cut the deficit to 10 points to begin the fourth quarter. Saint Mary would rally in the final period of regulation by outscoring the Swedes by 10 points to push the game into overtime.

In the first overtime period, Weathers would open the scoring again with another layup 11 seconds into the period, but Saint Mary would answer back with a deep-ball on the next possession to take the lead. One minute later, Weathers would drain a short jumper to take the lead back 83-82. With 47 seconds left, Emily Weathers would make a free throw, scoring all 5 of Bethany's points in the period, but the Spires would knock down two free throws to tie it up and send it to another overtime period tied at 84 apiece.

In the second, and final, overtime period, Sarah Reiner would open the scoring for both teams with two made free throws 14 seconds into the period. Saint Mary would tie it up with a couple free throws of their own to tie it at 86 with four minutes left to play. Over the next two minutes, the Spires would drain two three-pointers before R'Manie Pulling would cash in a free throw making it 92-87 in favor of the Spires. Kisa Unruh would cut the lead to three points with two free throws, but Saint Mary would do the same with 26 seconds left in the period.  Autumn Garrett would drain a three-point shot to cut the deficit down to two points with 10 seconds left. Following a timeout by the Spires, Saint Mary would turn the ball over with four seconds left to play.  On the final possession, Garrett would receive the inbounds pass and take it to the basket for a lay up that rolled around the rim and out sealing the victory for the Spires and handing the Swedes their first loss in conference play.

Leading the Swedes in scoring was Emily Weathers with 22 points on eight for ten shooting and one three-pointer made. Sarah Reiner (16), R'Manie Pulling (13), and Autumn Garrett (11) were all in double-digit scoring. Kylie Dunn led the team in rebounds with 7 as well as tying for the team lead in assists (2), steals (2), and blocks (1).

As a team, the Swedes shot more efficiently from the field with a field goal percentage of 44.3% compared to the Spires 40.3%. Bethany also outrebounded Saint Mary to the tune of 39 to 31. The Swedes lost the turnover battle 22 compared to 17 which led to the Spires scoring 23 points off turnovers compared to the Swedes 12.

Up Next…

The Swedes have a game just two days later on Saturday, December 3^rd against the Sterling College Warriors who are ranked 10^th in the nation. Tipoff is set for 5pm in Hahn Gymnasium.

~#RockarStockar~