NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College women's basketball team looked to continue their hot streak in 2023 as they took on the current second seed in the conference, the Bethany Swedes. Bethel trailed Bethany from wire to wire as they dropped the matchup 86-68.

The first quarter saw Bethel shoot the ball at a 35% clip, while the Swedes knocked home over 66% of their shot attempts as they took after scoring the first 5 points of the contest.

Bethany led by double-digits for much of the second quarter with their lead as high as 13 points. Bethel closed out the half on a 4-0 run to cut the lead down to single digits, 36-27, entering the break. Caryn Yoder and Troi Lucas each had six points to lead the Threshers at the half.

Both teams shot the ball extremely well in the third quarter as Bethany shot over 69% and Bethel shot a blistering 77% from the field including a perfect 3 of 3 from deep. Yoder was 2 of 2 from three point range and added in two made free throws in the quarter, however the Swedes were able to outscore the Threshers in the frame despite shooting the lower percentage as they carried a ten point lead into the fourth quarter.

The Threshers went cold from the floor in the fourth quarter shooting 27% from the floor, while Bethany shot 69% for the second straight quarter.

Key Statistic

Yoder shot 50% from the floor in the loss including 75% from three point range on her way to a team high 17 points.

By The Numbers

Three of the seven Threshers that scored in the contest finished in double digits. Lucas(16) and Freshour (10) joined Yoder.
 
Bethel lost the battle of the boards pulling in 30 to the Swedes' 34. 

Yoder finished just two points shy of tying her career high (19 vs Manhattan Christian).

Bethany shot over 66% from the floor in three quarters tonight.

The Swedes won the points in the paint battle 40-26.

Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Caryn Yoder (17)
 
Rebounds: Jasmine Peete (8)
 
Assists: Josie Stupey (3)
 
Steals: Troi Lucas, Parker Schroeder (3)
 
Blocks: None
 
Next Up
 
After having their designated bye slot this Saturday, the Threshers will return to the court when they take on the Friends Falcons to start the second round of conference contests. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, January 18th at 6:00 PM.