NORTH NEWTON, Kan.  — Wyatt Bell scored 18 points and Southwestern College held off fourth-seeded Bethel 67-65 on Thursday night in the quarterfinal round of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Moundbuilders (21-8) advanced to the semifinals after shooting 55.6% from 3-point range and converting all 11 of their free-throw attempts in a tightly contested game that featured a 35-35 halftime tie.

Austin Hilton added 17 points off the bench, knocking down 5 of 5 from beyond the arc to provide a key spark for Southwestern. Isaac Hoberecht finished with 13 points, and Eli Sawyers contributed eight points and a team-high eight rebounds.

Southwestern shot 47.9% from the field overall (23 of 48) and 55.6% from three (10-18), while Bethel shot 47.4% from the field (27-57) and 38.9% from three (7-18). The slugfest ended with two clutch free throws from Isaac Hoberecht and a final defensive stand by the Moundbuilders. 

Bethel (21-8) was led by Carmelo Yakubu's 23 points. Trenton Patterson added 15, and Albert Diarra scored nine for the Threshers, who shot 47.4% from the field but just 38.9% from 3-point range (7 of 18).

The teams were even at halftime before Southwestern outscored Bethel 32-30 in the second half to secure the victory.

With the win, the Moundbuilders move on to face top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan (26-3), the 3rd ranked team in the nation, in the semifinals on Saturday, Feb. 28. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.