WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College returns home Saturday afternoon looking to keep its momentum rolling as the Moundbuilders host York University (Neb.) at 3 p.m. inside Stewart Field House on Mental Health Night.
Southwestern enters the matchup at 15-6 overall and 9-6 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play, while York comes in at 6-15 overall and 4-11 in conference action.
The Moundbuilders are coming off an impressive 77-62 road victory over Bethel College on Wednesday night in a game with major implications in the KCAC standings and the NAIA national picture. Evan Barber scored a game-high 21 points to lead Southwestern, while Nigel John added 17 points and four rebounds as the Moundbuilders controlled the paint in a physical battle.
Eli Sawyers continued to step up with 13 points and eight rebounds, helping Southwestern win the rebounding battle, 30-19, in the absence of KCAC-leading rebounder Zach Hidalgo. Wyatt Bell contributed 15 points and five rebounds, finishing the game in memorable fashion after borrowing a pair of shoes at halftime to complete the second half.
Southwestern shot 54.9 percent from the field and held Bethel to just 16.7 percent from three-point range, using strong defense and second-chance opportunities to create separation in the second half.
The York Panthers are led by head coach Mitch McMullen and enter the weekend looking to gain ground in the conference race. York is paced offensively by Jadin Johnson, who is averaging a team-best 18.2 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the floor.
Dave Dalge has been another key contributor, averaging 8.5 points per contest and leading the team with 65 assists. Logan Beckstrom adds 9.5 points per game, while Devin Carroll provides a perimeter threat with 29 made three-pointers and a 40.3 percent shooting mark from beyond the arc.
As a team, York is averaging 71.9 points per game but has struggled defensively, allowing opponents to score 82.1 points per outing.
Southwestern will look to replicate its success from the first meeting between the two teams earlier this season, when the Moundbuilders earned a dominant 91-64 road victory in York, Nebraska, on Jan. 3.
With postseason positioning at stake, Southwestern will look to protect its home floor once again inside Stewart Field House, while York aims to challenge the Moundbuilders and shift the momentum in the conference race.
