LINDSBORG, Kan. — Nigel John scored a game-high 23 points and Southwestern College continued its strong late-season surge with a 78-51 victory over Bethany College on Wednesday afternoon at Hahn Gymnasium.

The win was Southwestern's 12th in its last 14 games as the Moundbuilders improved to 18-6 overall and 12-6 in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Southwestern shot 50 percent from the field and built a 12-point halftime lead before pulling away in the second half. The Moundbuilders outscored Bethany 40-25 after the break and led by as many as 28 points late in the contest.

John finished 10 of 12 from the floor and added five rebounds, while Eli Sawyers came off the bench to post 15 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Wyatt Bell recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as Southwestern controlled the glass, 50-25, and scored 44 points in the paint.

Evan Barber added 12 points, and Isaac Hoberecht contributed five assists as the Builders totaled 10 assists on 30 made field goals.

Bethany fell to 6-17 overall and 2-16 in conference play. David Mitchell led the Swedes with 19 points, but Bethany struggled offensively, shooting 25.4 percent from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. Curtis Stovall III scored 11 points off the bench.

Southwestern will return to action Wednesday, Feb. 11, traveling to Springfield, Missouri, to face Evangel University at AGFinancial Arena. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.