WINFIELD, Kan. — The Southwestern College men's basketball team heads back to North Newton on Thursday night for a third meeting this season with Bethel College, this time with postseason stakes on the line.
The fifth-seeded Moundbuilders (20-8 overall, 14-8 KCAC) will face the fourth-seeded Threshers (21-7, 16-6) in the quarterfinals of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament at 7 p.m. Thursday inside Thresher Gymnasium in North Newton.
All tickets must be purchased online. Southwestern students will be admitted free with a valid Southwestern student ID.
Southwestern secured the No. 5 seed with an 82-79 Senior Day victory over the University of Saint Mary, a win that capped a 20-8 regular season and provided momentum heading into postseason play.
Thursday's contest will mark the third meeting between the teams this season, with the series tied at one game apiece. Bethel claimed a 93-85 overtime victory in November in Winfield. The Moundbuilders answered in late January with a decisive 77-62 win in North Newton.
Southwestern will lean on its experienced backcourt of Wyatt Bell and Evan Barber. Bell leads the Moundbuilders at 18.1 points per game, while Barber adds 14.6 per contest. Inside, Nigel John has provided a steady presence, averaging 14.5 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Bethel is led by senior Carmelo Yakubu, who averages 16.6 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
With national tournament implications at stake for both programs, Thursday's matchup is expected to bring an intense atmosphere inside Thresher Gymnasium as the rivals meet for a spot in the KCAC semifinals.
