WICHITA, Kan. - The Bethel College Men's Basketball team played their fifth game of their 2022-23 campaign, all on the road, as they took on the Friends Falcons to open KCAC play. Bethel held a three point lead at the intermission and trailed for just under a minute in the second half as they took the conference opening contest 81-76.

After Friends opened up the contest by taking the lead, Bethel was able to build up a seven point lead, 13-6, at the 13 minute mark. Just minutes later the Threshers had the largest lead for either squad in the contest when they went up eight points, 15-17.

After the Falcons cut the lead down to four points, Bethel matched its largest lead following buckets from Javen Hutton and Nick Bonner that made the score 19-11. Bethel held the lead until the three and a half minute mark when Friends took their first lead since early on in the contest. The Threshers outscored the Falcons 7-0 to close out the half as they took the 40-37 into the break.

Bethel led for the first 15 minutes of the second half, at multiple points by as much as seven points. The Falcons took a one point lead following two made free throws from their second leading scorer Steve Stacko. A two point basket from Clifford Byrd II gave Bethel the lead back on the ensuing possession.

Freshman Carmelo Yakubu put the nail in the coffin with a corner three with just 29 seconds remaining. The Threshers made three out of four free throws in the final 20 seconds to down the Falcons on their home floor.

Key Statistic

The Threshers committed just 10 turnovers to the Falcons 18 in the five point victory.

By The Numbers
 
The Threshers had double the points off of turnovers that the Falcons did, 24-12.
 
Bethel finished the game with 13 steals as a team. 
 
Nine Threshers scored in the win.
 
Bethel was out rebounded by Friends 38-31, but the Threshers had 7 offensive rebounds to the Falcons 5.

Clifford Byrd II turned in his second straight 23 point performance.

Three Threshers scored in double-figures as Bryant Mocaby (16) and Carmelo Yakubu (13) joined Byrd II.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Clifford Byrd II (23)
 
Rebounds: Clifford Byrd II, Carmelo Yakubu (5)
 
Assists: Clifford Byrd II (8)
 
Steals: Clifford Byrd II (5)
 
Blocks: Four with 1
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers are set to square off with NCAA DII Fort Hays State on Thursday, November 17th in an exhibition matchup with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 PM.