SALINA, Kan. - The Bethel Thresher Women's Basketball team hit the road for the final time in the 2021-22 regular season on Wednesday evening to take on the Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes. After a slow first half, Bethel picked up their efforts on both ends to outscore the Coyotes 30-22 but ultimately fell short of the comeback as KWU took the 52-48 victory.

Bethel started the contest in a drought shooting just 14% from the floor in the opening 10 minutes. Luckily for the Threshers, the Coyotes didn't have the best shooting percentage in the opening quarter as they shot just over 29% from the floor as they took a 13-4 lead into the second quarter. Bethel shot the ball better in the second period scoring 14 points, but were once again out scored by Kansas Wesleyan who had 17 points in the quarter to take a 30-18 lead into the intermission.

The Threshers scored the first 5 points of the third quarter to get their offense rolling. Bethel was able to tie the contest with one minute left in the third quarter and trailed by two points heading to the final 10 minutes after shooting over 47% from the floor. Bethel's defense made an appearance coming out of the break as they held the Coyotes to just 8 points in the quarter while having their highest scoring quarter of the contest. The Threshers took their first lead of the contest with the first basket of the fourth quarter when Troi Lucas banked in a three point basket. Lucas followed that up with a fast break layup to push the Threshers lead to three early in the fourth. Both teams traded leads for the remainder of the contest before KWU took the lead for the final time with 36 seconds left in regulation. 

Key Statistic

The Threshers were 0-5 from the free throw line while the Coyotes were 10-11.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers lost the points in the paint battle 30-26.
 
Bethel finished the game with 5 steals and 6 blocks in the loss. 
 
Seven Threshers scored in the loss.
 
Bethel controlled the glass out-rebounding Kansas Wesleyan 52-43.

The Threshers got 19 second chance points.

Four Threshers recorded multiple assists in the contest.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Jaycee Freshour (15)
 
Rebounds: Alex Bearup (13)
 
Assists: Josie Calzonetti, Sydney Tenant (4)
 
Steals: Josie Stupey (3)
 
Blocks: Alex Bearup (4)
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers will return home for Senior Night and a contest against the Avila Eagles with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM.