BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - Despite trailing by seven points at the intermission, Bethel rode the backs of Harper Jonas, Clifford Byrd II and Bryant Mocaby in the second half to upset No. 2 Oklahoma Wesleyan on their own floor 72-61.

After OKWU started 4-0, Bethel responded instantly taking a 7-6 lead after a Mocaby made three point basket. Neither team led by more than two possessions until the Eagles closed out the half on 6-0 run to take a 33-26 lead into the break. Jalyn Todd was Bethel's leading scorer with 7 points as he was successful in keeping them within striking distance. 

Jonas opened up the second half with a three pointer that cut the OKWU lead down to four points. The Eagles held the lead for the next four minutes and change until a Byrd II three capped a 7-0 Thresher run that saw them take the 36-35 advantage. 

After an Eagle bucket following a timeout gave them the lead back, Jared Richardson hit a corner three putting BC on top for good.

For the final 15 minutes of the contest, Bethel outscore Oklahoma Wesleyan 23-14 as Byrd II and Jonas hit big shot after big shot to keep the Eagles at bay.

Key Statistic
 
The trio of Byrd II, Jonas and Mocaby combined for 36 second half points as they led the charge for the Threshers offensively.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers had 14 points off of  14 Eagle turnovers.

Bethel won the points in the paint battle 32-22.

Bryant Mocaby had 10 of his 13 points in the second half as he was 50% from the floor in the frame.

Harper Jonas was nearly perfect as all 13 of his points came in the second half. He went 4 of 5 from the floor with all four makes coming from beyond the three point arch.

The Threshers pulled in 14 offensive boards leading to 13 second chance points.
 
Bethel outrebounded OKWU pulling in 32 rebounds to their opponents 31.

Eight Threshers scored in the victory, three in double figures led by Clifford Byrd II's game high 17. Harper Jonas finished with 13 points and Bryant Mocaby had 10. 

Bethel outscored the high powered Eagles offense by 18 points in the second half, 46-28.

No. 2 OKWU is the highest ranked opponent Bethel College has ever taken down.
 
Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Clifford Byrd II (17)
 
Rebounds: Jalyn Todd (7)
 
Assists: Clifford Byrd II (5)
 
Steals: Clifford Byrd II (3)
 
Blocks: Jalyn Todd, Christion Whitaker (2)
 
Next Up

The Threshers will be back in action on Saturday, January 28th as they host the Ottawa Braves with tip-off scheduled for 5:00 PM.