NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College Women's Basketball team took on the No. 19 ranked Sterling College Warriors. The Threshers gave the Warriors all they could handle, but Sterling was able to escape Thresher Gym with a 64-52 victory. 

The Threshers were able to get the crowd involved very early in the contest scoring the first nine points of the first quarter. The Warriors closed out the opening 10 minutes on a 20-7 run to take a 20-16 advantage. Sterling was able to build up an eight point lead in the second quarter on their way to a 34-30 lead.

The third quarter saw the Warriors lead for the entirety, most of the time by double digits. Bethel scored the first eight points of the fourth quarter to get themselves right back into the contest making the score 52-48. Josie Stupey led the charge for the Threshers scoring four of the eight points. After not making a bucket for the first four minutes and change of the final frame, the Warriors kicked it in gear as they advanced their lead back to double figures on their way to the 64-52 victory.

Key Statistic

The opening quarter of each half cost the Threshers the ball game as they were outscored by 12 points in those two quarters. Both squads were even in the final quarters of each half.

By The Numbers
 
Bethel was outscored by Sterling 36-20 in the painted area.  
 
Eight Threshers scored in the loss led by Stupey with 15 and Caryn Yoder with 12. 
 
Bethel lost the battle of the boards as Sterling pulled in 39 and BC 29.

The Threshers shot just over 31% from three while holding the Warriors to 0 makes. 

Bethel committed just 16 turnovers while forcing the Warriors into 20.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Josie Stupey (15)
 
Rebounds: Josie Stupey (8)
 
Assists: Five tied (2)
 
Steals: Parker Schroeder (3)
 
Blocks: Jaycee Freshour (1)
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers are set to square off with another top of the conference standings foe as they take on the Tabor Bluejays on Saturday, December 10th with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM.