LINDSBORG, Kan. – In a battle of two highly competitive Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) foes, the No. 10-ranked Southwestern College men's basketball team were able to outlast the Bethany College Swedes in Lindsborg, pulling away in the second half to an 84-71 win over the home squad.

"We are thankful to end conference play this semester with a win versus a tough Bethany team," said head coach Matt O'Brien.

In the first half, the two squads were trading body blows, as neither side led by more than four points for any prolonged stretch in the stanza. The shooting stats showed that the two sides were evenly matched throughout, as SC hit their shots at a 17-of-39 (43.1%) clip, and Bethany countered with a 16-of-36 (44.4%) showing. Rebounding, however, was heavily in the Moundbuilders' favor. They held a 23-11 advantage on the boards on the opening frame, and reeled in 10 offensive rebounds in the first act. Ultimately, the two teams would enter the locker rooms with a 43-43 tie on the scoreboard.

The second-half story was much different, as the Swedes could never find their offensive groove. Bethany was held to just 8-of-27 (29.6%) shooting in the second half, which allowed the improved Builder offense (13-of-27, 48.1%) to pull away with a 41-point half. They outscored the home team by 13 points in the second half, constructing an 84-71 win after two 20-minute halves.

"Our defensive effort was consistent tonight," continued O'Brien, "but I think the big difference in the game was our commitment to the offensive boards, especially on a night where we did not have our best shooting effort." 

Deng Bol was quite impressive on this night, as he did not have his strongest shooting percentage (6-of-15, 40%), but he did hit 12 of his 16 free-throw attempts to lead the Builders in scoring with 24 points. Cevin Clark was also below his typical shooting numbers, but did contribute 15 points to the effort on a 5-of-16 (31.3%) night from the field. Cooper Pierce was able to add 12 points, while Jarvis Jennings was able to put 10 points in the box score as the two remaining Moundbuilders with double-digit points,

Andrew O'Brien did lead the team in assists in this one, dishing out five dimes. He was followed by both Clark and Pierce with three, and Trey Abasolo with two. Those four players were responsible for all but two of the Builders' assists in the win.

O'Brien's rebounding continued to be important for SC, as he had 10 total rebounds, with four of those coming on the offensive end. Pierce added nine boards in the effort, as he had five of those on offense, while five of Bol's seven backboards came on offense as well. Zach Hidalgo added five boards off the bench as the final Builder with five or more rebounds. Phillip Smith had several crucial boards in the second half, as he racked up four for the game.

"Phillip Smith had some key plays for us in the second half when we needed it," declared O'Brien.

Bol and Pierce had two steals each to lead the squad, while the only other theft came from Clark. O'Brien showed his rim protection skills on this night, as well, sending back three Bethany shots.

Southwestern (12-1, 7-1 KCAC) continues on their massive streak within the KCAC, having won their seventh straight contest. They will now travel out to Lake Wales, Fla., where they will play the Warner University Royals in a non-conference contest on Friday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. CT to end the 2022 portion of their slate. Following that matchup, the Moundbuilders will be on hiatus until Wednesday, Jan. 4, when they host Bethel College at Stewart Field House for their first tilt of 2023.

--buildersports.com--