NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College Women's Basketball team opened up their 2021-22 campaign Wednesday evening inside Thresher Gym in Head Coach Derrick Pringle Jr.'s first game as a Thresher. Bethel came out on top of Central Christian 79-56 giving Pringle Jr. his first win as a part of the program.
 
The Threshers started the contest looking like a team that hadn't played a contest in over seven months. They held on to a one-point lead after the opening quarter behind 11 points from Kendall Michalski on 3-5 shooting including 3-4 from three point range. 
 
As the game progressed, the Threshers started to get their legs under them and get back into the flow of things. In the second quarter, they were able to get more individuals in the scoring column lightening some of the load from Michalski. Bethel took a ten-point advantage, 36-26, into the break after outscoring the Tigers by 9 in the second quarter.
 
The Threshers came out of the locker room in the second half on fire! This time, Alex Bearup and Sydney Tenant led the charge. Bearup finished the quarter going 3-4 from the floor for 10 points and Tenant, 4-6 for 9 points, as Bethel put up a 30 point quarter to extend their lead to 66-41 entering the final quarter. 
 
The Tigers would win the final quarter 15-13, but the Threshers would take the victory 79-56.
 
Kendall Michalski led the way offensively for the Threshers as she finished with 20 points shooting 50 percent from three-point range. Josie Calzonetti added in a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards in the contest. Alex Bearup finished with 12 points and 3 steals in the win.
 
The Threshers really ramped up the defense at times on the Tigers as they forced three ten-second violations with their full-court press. They also totaled 17 steals in the contest.
 
Bethel will be back in action on Friday, October 29th at 2:00 PM as they take on Missouri Valley College in the McPherson Classic.