HILLSBORO, Kan.—The Bethel College men's basketball team delivered a dominant 81-47 victory over Tabor College on Wednesday night at the Tabor Gymnasium. The win marked a historic moment as Head Coach Jayson Artaz became the all-time winningest coach in Bethel men's basketball history with his 132nd career victory, surpassing the previous record held by George Buhr.
Carmelo Yakubu led the Threshers (12-6, 8-4 KCAC) with 13 points, five rebounds, and three steals, while Harper Jonas and Nick Bonner each added 12 points. Bethel's balanced attack and defensive intensity secured a wire-to-wire victory in the conference matchup.
How It Happened
The Threshers set the tone early, jumping out to a 40-30 halftime lead behind Yakubu's early scoring and Jonas' sharp shooting. Bethel's defense held Tabor to just 30.5% shooting from the field and 26.9% from beyond the arc.
In the second half, Bethel extended its lead with relentless pressure and efficient offense, outscoring Tabor 41-17. Dominick Harris and Albert Diarra provided a spark off the bench, combining for 10 points and six rebounds.
The Threshers controlled the paint, outscoring Tabor 42-22 inside and winning the rebounding battle 39-25. Bethel also capitalized on Tabor's mistakes, turning 18 turnovers into 23 points.
Inside the Numbers
- Bethel shot 52.3% from the field, including 28.6% from three-point range.
- The Threshers tallied 11 assists, led by Carmelo Yakubu and Dominick Harris with two each.
- Tabor struggled offensively, shooting just 21.9% in the second half.
- Bethel's bench outscored Tabor's reserves 26-17.
Historic Moment
With the victory, Head Coach Jayson Artaz now holds the record for most career wins in Bethel men's basketball history with 132 wins, surpassing George Buhr's 131. The milestone reflects Artaz's leadership and the program's sustained success under his guidance.
Up Next
The Threshers return to Thresher Gym on Saturday, January 18th, to face Ottawa University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM as Bethel aims to build on its momentum in KCAC play.
