NORTH NEWTON, Kan. - The Bethel College men's basketball team moved to .500 on the season and in conference as they held on for the 64-58 victory over the McPherson College Bulldogs inside Thresher Gym.
 
Despite being shooting the lower percentage in the opening half, the Threshers held on to the 33-28 lead at the intermission thanks to 10 points from Harper Jonas.
 
Bethel pulled in 27 rebounds in the first half while holding the Bulldogs to just 13, none offensively for the best offensive rebound team in the KCAC.
 
Although the Threshers continued to struggle shooting from deep in the second half, they improved their shooting percentage by over six percent.
 
McPherson was able to take the lead back halfway through the second half and push it as high as five points before Carmelo Yakubu led a 13-6 run for the Threshers with six points, giving Bethel the lead for good.
 
Yakubu scored 11 of his game high 19 points in the second half as he took over down the stretch.
 
Key Statistic
 
Bethel scored 44 points in the paint compared to just 26 for McPherson.
 
By The Numbers
 
The Threshers pulled in 13 offensive boards, leading to 13 second chance points.
 
As a team, Bethel blocked 6 Bulldog shot attempts.
 
The Threshers turned the ball over just 9 times while forcing the Bulldogs into 13.
 
Bethel pulled in 45 rebounds to McPherson's 32.
 
Eight Threshers scored in the win, four in double digits.
 
The Threshers recorded 15 fast break points while limiting the Bulldogs to just 5.
 
Yakubu recorded his second double-double of the season as he scored 19 points and pulled in 11 boards.
 
Thresher Leaders
 
Points: Carmelo Yakubu (19)
 
Rebounds: Carmelo Yakubu (11)
 
Assists: Nick Bonner (4)
 
Steals: Keyaun Hoskin (3)
 
Blocks: Jared Richardson, Jalyn Todd (2)
 
Up Next
 
The Threshers are back in action on Wednesday, January 31st at 8:00 PM as they travel to Lindsborg to take on the Bethany Swedes.
 
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