ESPANOLA, N.M. - The Bethel College Men's Basketball team opened up their 2022-23 campaign against the Eagles of Northern New Mexico College. The Threshers struggled early as they tried to find their identity without former NAIA All-American guard Jaylon Scott. Bethel started to figure things out in the second half as they pulled away from Northern New Mexico for the 89-76 victory.
 
The first half started slow for both teams as they tried to find their groove for the first time this season. Redshirt freshman Javen Hutton scored the first points of the season for the Threshers going 1-2 at the charity stripe after getting fouled driving to the basket.
 
Neither team shot the ball terribly in the opening ten minutes as BC was 6 of 14 from the field and 2 of 7 from three-point range while the Eagles shot 6 of 12 from the field and 0 of 2 from three-point range. The struggle for both sides was that they combined for eight turnovers.
 
Bethel led 36-32 after the opening 20 minutes as Bryant Mocaby led all scorers with 14 points on 5-10 from the field and 4-8 from three-point range. The Threshers shot 14-28 from the field and 6-15 from three. The Eagles shot 14-25 from the field and 2-6 from three.
 
The first five baskets for BC coming out of the break came from behind the arc as they used the hot shooting to build up a 12 point, 51-39, lead. 
 
Northern New Mexico was able to chip away at the Bethel lead cutting it in half just over five minutes into the second period. 
 
In the final 14 minutes of the contest, the Threshers missed just seven shots as they went 12 of 19 from the floor on their way to an 89-76 victory. 
 
Bryant Mocaby led all scorers with 21 points on 58.3% shooting including 5 of 9 from deep. Freshman Carmelo Yakubu had a stellar collegiate debut putting up 18 points, including 16 in the second half. 
 
Three other Threshers scored in double-digits as Clifford Byrd II had 13 pts, 7 asts and 6 rebs. Harper Jonas finished the win with a double-double as he scored 12 points and pulled in 10 boards. Jared Richardson finished with 10 points on 4 of 8 shooting. 
 
Bethel shot 32 of 56 in the contest while Northern New Mexico went 28-54. The Threshers shot a dismal 13-25 from the charity stripe. Bc out-rebounded NNMC 28-20 with 9 coming on the offensive end.
 
The Threshers will be back on the court on Saturday, November 5th as they take on the Park Pirates in Parkville, Mo. as part of their eight-game road trip to open the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00 PM.