McPHERSON, Kan. - The Bethel Threshers entered the KCAC Tournament as the #9 seed taking on the #8 McPherson Bulldogs in McPherson. After trailing by four at halftime, the Threshers let the Bulldogs build up a double-digit lead before cutting it to one possession in the final minutes as McPherson was able to hold off Bethel late to advance in the tournament 69-65.

The first quarter saw McPherson take a 7 point lead but the Threshers answered back in the second 10 minute period to cut the lead to just four points entering the break. Bearup led the Threshers at the break with 7 points and 5 rebounds. 

McPherson opened up the third quarter on a 11-1 run to build their lead to 40-26. The Bulldog lead hovered right around the 10-12 point range for the remainder of the third period. Trailing 48-38 entering the final 10 minutes of regulation, Alex Bearup decided to make things interesting. Bearup scored 15 of her 26 points in the final quarter to lead the charge for the Threshers. Bethel trailed by 14 points with just under six minutes remaining, this is when they started to make a run as they out scored the Bulldogs 19-9 to close out the contest. BC had the lead down to just 1 point with 16 seconds left after a Bearup three point basket, but turned the ball over after McPherson knocked down two free throws. Following the turnover, the Bulldogs went one of two from the line missing the second to get the clock running with a four point lead and nothing Bethel could do to tie.

Key Statistic

Senior Alex Bearup turned in her best performance of the season when it mattered the most. Shooting 50% from the field while putting up a game high 26 points.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers won the points in the paint battle 35-30.
 
Bethel finished the game with 4 steals and 2 blocks in the loss. 
 
Seven Threshers scored in the loss.
 
The biggest key to being in the game for the Threshers coming into the contest was the battle on the glass. McPherson had out rebounded Bethel 110-72 combined in the first two matchups this season. BC out rebounded Mac 34-33 in tonight's contest.

The Threshers got 22 points from their bench and 17 points off of turnovers.

Bethel pulled in two more offensive rebounds than McPherson, 9-7, after giving up a combined 45 between the first two matchups.

Five Threshers recorded multiple assists in the contest.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Alex Bearup (26)
 
Rebounds: Kayla Newman (11)
 
Assists: Josie Calzonetti, Josie Stupey, Troi Lucas (3)
 
Steals: Josie Stupey (3)
 
Blocks: Jaycee Freshour (1)
 
 
The Threshers conclude their season with an overall record of  10-21, 8-16 KCAC.