BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – Southwestern College put up a strong fight in the first half but was unable to hold off Oklahoma Wesleyan, falling 82-62 Wednesday evening at the Mueller Sports Center.

Macey Pond led the Moundbuilders (3-16, 3-14) with 18 points, nine rebounds, and four made three-pointers. Christy Wiebe contributed a double-double, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Kennedy Ford added eight points and two rebounds, while Callie Scott scored seven points with two rebounds and one steal.

Jerranay Echols recorded four points, five rebounds, and four assists, and Haven Matthews chipped in with four points and two rebounds. Heather Chiesi hit a three-pointer for her only points of the game.

Southwestern shot 33.3% (23-of-69) from the field and knocked down 9-of-29 (31.0%) from three-point range. The Moundbuilders capitalized on their free-throw attempts, shooting a perfect 7-for-7 from the line.

Southwestern started strong, jumping out to a six-point lead midway through the first quarter behind back-to-back three-pointers from Pond. The Moundbuilders led 22-18 at the end of the first quarter and trailed by just one, 41-40, at halftime.

However, Oklahoma Wesleyan (11-12, 8-9 ) turned up the defensive pressure in the second half. The Eagles held Southwestern to just eight points in the fourth quarter while pouring in 27 to put the game away. Rashaan Smith led Oklahoma Wesleyan with 13 points and six rebounds, while Jaelin Glass and Gracie Alexander each added 10 points.

Southwestern is back in action on Saturday, Feb 8, for another KCAC matchup against Bethany, 1 p.m.