NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College Men's Basketball had a tough test for their home opener of the 2022 season as the No. 7 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles came to town. The Threshers held the Eagles to more than ten points under their season average, but were unable to finish out the upset as they fell 63-54.

The first half was a back and forth battle with neither team leading by more than four points until the clock was under a minute. Everytime the Eagles would try to pull away the Threshers would hit a shot or two to get right back in it. An OKWU three with 51 seconds left in the opening half gave them the largest lead of the game, five points, 30-25. Bethel closed out the half on a 5-0 run including a deep three pointer from Carmelo Yakubu as time expired to tie the contest at 30 heading into the break. 

A Harper Jonas three coming out of the break gave Bethel its first lead since the 18 minute mark in the opening half. Ensuing buckets by Nick Bonner and Yakubu gave the Threshers a five point lead, matching the largest lead of the contest. The Eagles, however, weren't going away and built up an eight point lead with just over 13 minutes left in regulation and never relinquished control. 

Key Statistic
 
Nick Bonner turned in his best game of the young season scoring 17 points to go along with five rebounds, two steals and an assist.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers lost the points in the paint battle 36-20.
 
Bethel held OKWU to their second lowest scoring half of the season in the opening 20 minutes.
 
Bethel finished the game with 6 steals as a team. 
 
Nine Threshers scored in the loss as Harper Jonas joined Bonner in double figures scoring 13 points.
 
Bethel was out rebounded by OKWU 42-35, the Threshers pulled in 11 offensive boards.

The Threshers held OKWU's leading scorer Leitzke, who averages just over 16 ppg, to just 9 points.
 
Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Nick Bonner (17)
 
Rebounds: Nick Bonner, Harper Jonas (5)
 
Assists: Nick Bonner, Harper Jonas (5)
 
Steals: Nick Bonner, Bryant Mocaby (2)
 
Blocks: Jalyn Todd (2)
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers are back on the road on Thursday, December 1st as they take on the Ottawa Braves with tip-off slated for 8 PM.