WINFIELD, Kan. — Southwestern College takes its momentum on the road Saturday afternoon when the Moundbuilders visit Bethany College for a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup at Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. Southwestern enters the contest at 17-6 overall and 11-6 in conference play, while Bethany comes in at 6-16 overall and 2-15 in the KCAC.
Southwestern is coming off one of its most significant wins of the season, an 83–80 victory over No. 3-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan on Tuesday night in Winfield. Playing in front of a packed Stewart Field House, the Moundbuilders erased an 11-point first-half deficit and closed the game at the free-throw line to hand the Eagles just their second conference loss. The teams were tied 44–44 at halftime before Southwestern outscored Oklahoma Wesleyan 39–36 over the final 20 minutes. Wyatt Bell finished with 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists, while Evan Barber added 15 points and eight assists and sealed the game with late free throws. Austin Hilton scored 15 points off the bench, and Southwestern shot 50 percent from the field and 55.2 percent from three-point range.
Bethany is led by head coach Terrence Murphy, who is in his first full season with the Swedes. Bethany is coming off a 107–74 loss at McPherson on Wednesday, as the Bulldogs pulled away with a high-scoring offensive performance. Despite the record, Bethany features several key contributors, led by junior guard Keddric Mays II, who averages 17.5 points per game. Curtis Stovall III contributes 10.8 points per contest, while senior guard Donovan Newton adds 10.2 points per game. Forward JJ Warfield provides an inside presence, averaging 8.4 points per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
The last meeting between the two teams went to Southwestern, which defeated Bethany 75–60 on Dec. 13 in Winfield. The Moundbuilders have controlled the recent series and have not lost to the Swedes since the 2020 season. Southwestern will look to extend that streak Saturday as it continues its push in the KCAC standings.
