PARK CITY, Kan. - The Bethel College Men's Basketball team took on the #3 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles inside Hartman Arena for the KCAC Tournament Championship Monday evening. The Eagles, the one seed in the tournament, held a eleven point advantage over the two seeded Threshers at the break. Betel was able to get the OKWU lead down to four points multiple times in the second half as the Eagles held on for an 81-68 victory. 

The first five minutes of the contest was a back and forth affair before the Eagles took the lead for the rest of the half. Bethel was able to keep the lead small for a majority of the opening 20 minutes before a Harper Jonas three pointer beat the halftime buzzer to make the score 42-31 in favor of OKWU. The Threshers shot 35% from the floor in the in opening half, while the Eagles shot an astounding 61.5% from the floor.

Bethel's cold shooting continued in the final 20 minutes going just 8 of 27 from the floor, 5 of those makes coming from behind the arc. The Threshers slowly cut into the Eagles lead that was as much as 17 points at one point. Bethel got the lead under double-digits for the first time at the 13:30 mark. The Eagles responded with a run of their own to push it back up before cutting it down to four with just under four minutes left to play. Clifford Byrd II was a spark for the Threshers in both halves as he finished with a career high 29 points.

Key Statistic

Bethel shot just 32.7% from the floor while the Eagles shot at a 58% clip. 
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers lost the points in the paint battle 36-10.
 
Bethel finished the game with 11 steals. 
 
Six Threshers scored in the loss.
 
Bethel was out rebounded by Oklahoma Wesleyan 41-27.

Byrd II was the lone bright spot for the Threshers shooting 52.9% from the floor on his way to scoring a game high 29 points.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Clifford Byrd II (29)
 
Rebounds: Jaylon Scott (10)
 
Assists: Jaylon Scott (8)
 
Steals: Clifford Byrd II (6)
 
Blocks: None
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers await the results of the NAIA Tournament selection show on Thursday, March 3rd to see where they will end up for hte NAIA Opening round after receiving the KCAC regular season auto bid.