KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The no. 20 ranked and 5th seeded Bethel Thresher Men's Basketball team took on the no. 4 ranked and 1st seeded Arizona Christian Firestorm in the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16. After holding a three point lead at the break, the Threshers were outscored by 19 points in the final 20 minutes as the Firestorm took the matchup 82-66.

Both teams traded baskets to start the contest until Arizona Christian put together and 8-0 run with 12:43 remaining in the first half. Later on in the half with the Firestorm leading by nine, the Threshers went on a run of their own to close out the half. In the final seven and a half minutes, Bethel outscored Arizona Christian 16-4 to take a 40-37 lead into the break. Jaylon Scott finished the first 20 minutes with 11 rebounds, 7 rebounds and 5 assists.

After making the first basket of the second half to go up 5 points, the Threshers let the Firestorm get their confidence back. With the score tied at 43, ACU went on an 18-6 run to jump out to a 61-49 lead. Bethel was able to cut into the lead getting it under 10 points, but ACU responded with their own run with just over five minutes left to go in the contest extending their lead to 16, 73-57. The Threshers cut the lead down to 10 with just under two minutes left, but were unable to make shots down the stretch as the Firestorm held on for the 82-66 victory.

Key Statistic
 
In Jaylon Scott's final game as a Thresher he was nothing short of spectacular. He finished with 21 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers lost the points in the paint battle 34-30.
 
Bethel finished the game with 7 steals compared to Arizona Christian's 3. 
 
Every Thresher that got into the game recorded a point.
 
Bethel was out rebounded Arizona Christian 46-40.
 
The Threshers shot 39.4% from the field and exactly 23.3% from three-point range. 
 
The Firestorm shot 48.4% from the field and 45.8% from three-point range.

Both teams recorded 13 offensive rebounds in the contest.
 
Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Jaylon Scott (21)
 
Rebounds: Jaylon Scott (18)
 
Assists: Jaylon Scott (5)
 
Steals: Jaylon Scott (3)
 
Blocks: Clifford Byrd II (1)
 
Next Up
 
The Threshers historic 2021-22 season ended with a 28-8 record as they set a new school record for wins in a season.