TEXARKANA, Texas — Bethel beat Texas A&M Texarkana 73-63 on Sunday, taking control with a 12-0 run in the first quarter and pressuring the Eagles into 27 turnovers. The Threshers finished with 19 steals in the win.
The Threshers opened the first quarter with a 12-0 run and finished the quarter with a 23-13 scoring advantage. Bethel went 7 of 15 from the field and 7 of 8 at the line, with assists on all seven made field goals, while Texas A&M Texarkana shot 6 of 21 and committed seven turnovers despite a 13-10 rebounding edge.
Bethel outscored Texas A&M Texarkana 14-11 in the second quarter despite shooting 4 of 15, helped by six steals and a 9-1 edge in second-chance points.
Karlee Locke's 3-pointer with one second left gave the Threshers the final basket of the half and a 37-24 lead at the break.
Texas A&M Texarkana outscored Bethel 18-11 in the third quarter, shooting 8 of 16 while holding the Threshers to 4 of 17 and building a 13-5 rebounding edge. Bethel forced eight turnovers with seven steals, including four straight Texas A&M Texarkana turnovers during a mid-quarter stretch, but Texas A&M Texarkana finished with advantages in points off turnovers, 10-5, and points in the paint, 16-4.
Kendall Locke's layup with 1:15 left put Bethel ahead 48-42, the score that carried into the fourth.
The Threshers outscored Texas A&M Texarkana 25-21 in the fourth quarter to finish a 73-63 win, going 8 of 15 from the field with seven assists on their eight made baskets. Bethel made three 3-pointers in the quarter, while Texas A&M Texarkana stayed active on the glass with a 10-7 rebounding edge and eight second-chance points.
Kendall Locke scored 21 points, made 7 of 9 free throws and added seven assists, seven steals and six rebounds.
Karlee Locke finished with 20 points, eight rebounds, four 3-pointers and three steals.
Madyson McKinzie added 14 points, went 7 of 10 at the free-throw line and recorded three assists and three steals.
Emersyn Eischen tallied 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Up next, Bethel hosts Central Methodist in their first contest of the Bethel Classic on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. in North Newton, Kan.
