NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Bethel used an 8-0 fourth-quarter run to stretch a one-point lead to nine and defeated Central Methodist 76-65 Thursday in day one of the Bethel Classic. The Threshers scored 23 points off 23 Central Methodist turnovers and finished with a 43-36 rebounding advantage.
Bethel shot 10 of 19 from the field in the first quarter with six assists, while Central Methodist went 6 of 14 and committed six turnovers. The Threshers used a 9-0 run from 8:36 to 6:25 to move the score from 4-2 to 13-2, and finished the quarter with a 22-16 edge.
Central Methodist outscored Bethel 13-9 in the second quarter, shooting 5 of 12 with two 3-pointers while the Threshers went 4 of 15 and 0 of 6 from 3-point range. Bethel forced eight turnovers in the quarter, including four straight late, and
Emersyn Eischen's jumper with one second left sent the Threshers to halftime ahead 31-29.
Bethel outscored Central Methodist 28-22 in the third quarter, using a 16-5 rebounding edge and nine offensive boards to produce 12 second-chance points. Central Methodist went 9-for-12 at the free-throw line, but the Threshers had eight assists on 10 made field goals and took a 59-51 lead into the fourth.
Bethel shot 6 of 12 in the fourth quarter while holding Central Methodist to 5 of 18, and an 8-0 run from 6:53 to 5:25 moved the score from 61-60 to 69-60. The Threshers added three blocks and four steals in the quarter, closing out a 76-65 win despite Central Methodist grabbing 11 rebounds, including six offensive boards.
Kendall Locke scored 25 points, made 11 field goals and added six assists, five steals and eight rebounds.
Charlize Cash finished with 14 points, 16 rebounds, 9 of them coming on the offensive end, and five assists.
Madyson McKinzie recorded 12 points, eight rebounds and five steals.
Karlee Locke added 12 points, three steals and two blocks.
Tayla Robinson scored 24 points, converted 6 of 6 free throws and recorded five steals. Laila Houseworth added 17 points with two 3-pointers and three steals. Kaelyn Johnson posted two blocks and added four points. Larissa Taylor collected five rebounds, including three offensive, and made both field-goal attempts.
Up next, Bethel hosts Morningside on Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. in North Newton, Kan.
