LINDSBORG, Kan. – On Tuesday evening in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), the Southwestern College women's basketball team went up against the Bethany College Swedes in Lindsborg, Kan. In the final battle of the opening semester in the 2022-23 season for the Builders, they could not keep up with the potent Bethany offense, ending 2022 with an 80-34 loss.

"Bethany is one of the toughest matchups we've faced this year with their relentless pressure," said head coach Whitney Corley. "Credit goes to them for not letting us get into any sort of rhythm offensively."

Early in the tilt, Southwestern was simply cold on offense. Their 2-of-11 (18.2%) quarter to open the battle, put them in a difficult situation with Bethany turning in a 10-of-16 (62.5%) period. It was a starkly different start to Saturday's battle at home against McPherson, as the Moundbuilders struggled to match the impressive Swedes offense. A 23-6 first frame put the Lady Builders in a significant hole with three quarters to go.

Things were not much different in the second stanza, as SC hit just two field goals again. The defense for Southwestern did step forward, keeping the Swedes to only 6-of-19 (31.6%) shooting in the period. It was a nice improvement, but the Builder offense could not match the sheer volume of makes form Bethany. It was a 15-6 quarter that put the tally at 38-12 at the break.

Southwestern went into the third quarter with a plan to work in several of their bench players, and they did not disappoint. Heather Chiesi, Haven Matthews and Emily McElroy played six minutes each, and added great value to the lineup in their stead. The team went 4-of-12 (33.3%) from the field in the quarter, putting together their best showing of the bout to that point. Unfortunately, the Swedes were on fire, hitting 13-of-23 (56.5%) from the field in the same act. All told, the 26-11 quarter put the score at 64-23 in favor of the home squad.

"Haven Matthews and Emily McElroy gave us great energy and flew around defensively to get some deflections that helped us create some better offense in the second half," Corley opined.

The final frame flew by, as Southwestern was able to make sink three baskets on 11 tries for a total of 11 points, including four made free throws. Conversely, Bethany went 7-of-17 (41.2%) and put forth 16 points to extend the final tally to 80-34.

"We had a tough time adjusting to the last minute lineup change with Macey Pond out tonight," continued Corley. "Our offense runs through her, and we just could not get anything going tonight. The defensive pressure got to us, and we turned it over more than we have all season."

Scoring was certainly difficult to come by for the Builders in this difficult battle, but Christy Wiebe and Chiesi tied for the team lead with eight points, apiece. Wiebe was able to knock down four of her seven shot attempts in the battle, while Chiesi had a 2-of-4 shooting night off the bench with a 3-of-4 showing at the charity stripe.

"With Macey out, we got a good spark from Heather Chiesi off the bench," stated Corley. "She found some confidence as the game went on, and we are excited about her development coming for the rest of the season."

Denisha Anderson, Bryanna Williams, Iyanna Brannon and Hunter Garcia were responsible for splitting the assist duties four ways. Each of the four student-athletes had a single assist in the battle.

Wiebe was also the squad's top rebounder in this one, raking in six boards over her 20 minutes of play. D'Shonda Hunt, Matthews and McElroy had three backboards apiece to add the majority of the additional production on the glass.

Madi Jones, Garcia and Anderson were credited with two steals each in the game, as the remaining two Builder steals were accounted for by Wiebe and Hunt. Jones and Hunt were able to add a blocked shot to their defensive tallies, as well.

"We have some time now to rest and regroup. We will be back to work soon and keep finding ways to get better," Corley declared.

The Builders (3-11, 0-8 KCAC) have finished the 2022 portion of their schedule with the loss on Lindsborg, but the squad will be back in action early in 2023 with a bout at Stewart Field House in Winfield on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 5 p.m. 

--buildersports.com--