NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College men's basketball team trailed by as much as 16 points in the second half in their contest against Bethany. The Threshers outscored the Swedes 49-32 in the final 20 minutes to take the 83-77 victory on their home floor.

The first half saw runs that led to lead changes from both teams until the halfway mark. At this point the Swedes went on a roll building up a 12 point lead by the 6:44 mark. 

Bethel was able to cut the lead in half before Bethany built it back up to 11 entering the intermission. 

At the 16:42 mark of the second half Bethany was able to build their largest lead of the contest, 16 points, as they led 55-39. From this moment on, Bethel played like a completely different team as they went on a 26-10 run capped by a Jared Richardson made free throw to tie the contest at 65.

During the run Richardson, Clifford Byrd II and Bryant Mocaby each had six points to lead the charge.

Following a stop on Bethany's next possession, Bethel came down the floor and took their first lead since the 11 minute mark in the opening half. 

The Threshers went on a tear down the stretch as they missed just one shot in the final six and a half minutes to close out the Swedes and bring home the victory.

Key Statistic
 
Bethel outscored Bethany 44-25 in the final 16:42 as they shot 63% from the floor and 60% from downtown.
 
By The Numbers
 
Bethel scored 26 fast break points while allowing Bethany to just 8.

The Threshers had 23 points off of Swede turnovers in the win.

The points in the paint battle was fairly even with the Swedes getting the slight edge, 38-36.
 
Both teams shot in the 30% range in the halves they were outscored in and the 50's in the halves they won.

The Threshers pulled in 10 offensive boards leading to 9 second chance points.
 
Bethel lost the battle on the glass pulling in 40 rebounds to Bethany's 44.

Bryant Mocaby was a perfect 4/4 from the floor and 3/3 from deep in the second half.

Clifford Byrd II finished with an impressive game-high 23 points, 11 rebounds, 7 steals and 6 assists.

Byrd II came into the contest needing 6 steals to break former teammate Jaylon Scott's career steals record of 277, he achieved that feat late in the second half.
 
Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Clifford Byrd II (23)
 
Rebounds: Clifford Byrd II (11)
 
Assists: Clifford Byrd II (6)
 
Steals: Clifford Byrd II (7)
 
Blocks: Jared Richardson (3)
 
Next Up

The Threshers will have the bye in their schedule this Saturday before returning to the floor to start their second round of KCAC play against the Friends Falcons on Wednesday, January 18th at 8:00 PM.