WINFIELD, Kan. – The Southwestern College women's basketball team hosted the Bethany College Swedes on Saturday afternoon inside Stewart Field House for their final home battle of the 2022-23 campaign. With it being the last opportunity to do so, the squad honored their seniors (Denisha Anderson, D'Shonda Hunt, Emily McElroy, and Iyanna Brannon) with gifts and a ceremony to recognize their years with the Moundbuilders. Unfortunately, the game ended up as a convincing Builder loss, 99-46.

In the opening frame, Southwestern scored a total of 12 points on a 4-of-13 shooting line. They drilled 2-of-4 from beyond the three-point arc, while allowing Bethany to hit at an 8-of-18 clip to score 21 points in the first stanza.

The second quarter was entirely one-sided, as the Swedes put together a 25-7 period. The Moundbuilders were not able to make a field goal on six total attempts. They did manage seven made free throws on 10 tries, though. Bethany converted on 10-of-19 from the field, which put them ahead 46-19 at the intermission.

The Builders' most competitive frame was the third, as they took eight more shots than the visitors. As SC knocked down five of their 20 shot attempts, the Swedes hit on 7-of-12 to lead the period 19-13. They exited the frame with a lead of 65-32.

Finally, the Bethany offense exploded with a 34-point fourth quarter on 13-of-17 shooting to lengthen their advantage. Southwestern would score 14 points in that span, while hitting 5-of-14 from the field. With the disparity in the final quarter, Southwestern dropped the bout by a final of 99-46.

On Senior Day, McElroy starred as the team's leading scorer. She also shot efficiently from long range, knocking down 4-of-8 from deep. Freshman, Haven Matthews scored eight points in the battle, and seniors, Hunt and Anderson each scored six points on the afternoon.

The Builders had seven assists in the battle, with four of those coming from Kimberly Duhon. She led the quad, but was followed by Hunt with two and Hunter Garcia with one.

Hunt snagged five rebounds to hold the team lead, as the trio of Brannon, Garcia and Duhon added four each. Anderson grabbed three boards, while McElroy and Madi Jones hauled in two apiece.

Both Hunt and Duhon tied with two steals in the game, as the remaining two were tallied by Matthews and Heather Chiesi. Southwestern did not block a Bethany shot in the tilt.

The Lady Builders (4-22, 1-19 KCAC) are nearing the end of their season in 2022-23, and will have two more battles on the docket. They will travel to North Newton, Kan. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 for a bout with the Threshers of Bethel College. That matchup will tip off at 6 p.m. Then, they will finish their year with a rivalry matchup at Friends on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. in Wichita.

--buildersports.com--