WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College returns to Stewart Field House on Saturday afternoon looking to halt a conference skid as the Lady Builders host Bethany College in a KCAC matchup scheduled for a 1 p.m. tipoff.
Southwestern (4–7, 0–6) comes home after an 0–3 stretch in league play and an 11-point road loss at Oklahoma Wesleyan on Wednesday. The Lady Builders continue to rely on the scoring punch of senior guard Macey Pond, who leads the team with 15.4 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 41.6 percent from the field. Guard Breanna Goad adds 11.1 points per game and is hitting a team-best 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, while junior guard Kennedy Ford averages 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.
As a team, Southwestern is averaging 61.9 points per game while allowing 71.9. The Builders have struggled on the glass, posting a –6.5 rebounding margin and surrendering 37.4 rebounds per contest. Southwestern is shooting 39.4 percent overall and 30.9 percent from three, but opponents have countered with slightly better marks at 42.2 percent and 31.5 percent.
Bethany (5–5, 3–3) enters the weekend after splitting its last two league outings and features one of the conference's most balanced scoring lineups. The Swedes are led by junior guard Becca Unruh, who averages 15.1 points per game and has hit 22 three-pointers on the year. Forward Janae Black-Harmon anchors the interior with a dominant 9.8 rebounds per game to go with 13.2 points on 61.6 percent shooting. Colbi Rignell adds 12.7 points and 4.0 rebounds, giving Bethany three double-figure scorers.
The Swedes average 69.3 points per game and own a +1.6 rebounding margin, outrebounding opponents 37.5 to 35.9 per game. Defensively, they are holding teams to 37.2 percent shooting, though opponents are scoring 71.5 points per game. Bethany has been efficient at the line, shooting 74.5 percent.
Saturday's matchup gives Southwestern another opportunity to break a longstanding cold streak in the series. Bethany has won 15 straight meetings dating back to 2018, including last season's 90–70 contest in Winfield and a 70–56 home win in Lindsborg. Historically, Southwestern still maintains a narrow edge in the all-time series, 22–18, though the Swedes have controlled the rivalry over the last decade.
To snap the streak, the Lady Builders will need to improve their rebounding numbers and limit turnovers, an area that has hurt them throughout the season (14.3 turnovers per game compared to opponents' 11.4). Bethany ranks among the KCAC's most disciplined teams with 14.5 assists per game against just 17.4 turnovers.
Southwestern will also look for a stronger start after being outscored in every quarter this season, including a 38-point first-quarter deficit across 11 games.
Saturday's contest marks the Builders' fourth home game of the season and their final game before heading back on the road next week.
