Quarterfinal Matchup Set for Wednesday Night
No. 2 seed Bethel hosts No. 7 seed Tabor on Wednesday at 7 p.m. inside Thresher Gym in the KCAC Quarterfinals.
Bethel enters postseason play at 20-8 overall and 17-5 in conference action. The Threshers earned the No. 2 seed after finishing tied near the top of the league standings and now look to defend their home floor with a trip to the semifinals on the line.
Ticket Information
All tickets are sold through the KCAC online ticketing system. Bethel will not accept cash at the door.
Adult: $16
Senior: $11
Child: $7
Faculty and Staff: $7 with valid institution ID
Fans must purchase tickets online through the conference portal.
Season Series Recap
The two teams split the regular season meetings, each defending its home floor.
On January 14 in Thresher Gym, Bethel earned a 64-62 win in dramatic fashion. Trailing by one in the final seconds, Kendall Locke hit a three at the buzzer to seal the victory. Kendall finished with 19 points in the win, Karlee Locke added 14, and Madyson McKinzie chipped in 13.
The rematch on February 18 in Hillsboro went the other way. Tabor claimed a 48-41 win, holding Bethel to just 30 percent shooting. It marked only Bethel's second loss of the semester. Tayton Smith led Tabor in that game with 11 points and 14 rebounds, while Anna Lambert also scored 11.
Expect another tight, physical game Wednesday night.
Bethel Players to Watch
Kendall Locke has been one of the most complete players in the conference. In KCAC play, she ranks second in scoring, sixth in rebounds, first in assists, and second in steals. She controls pace, creates offense, and defends at a high level.
Karlee Locke continues to impact both ends. She ranks 14th in conference scoring, third in steals, and ninth in rebounds per game in league contests.
Madyson McKinzie is Bethel's third leading scorer and provides instant offense for Bethel. Caryn Yoder has also been on a tear of late offensively averaging 13 points a game her last 6 games which is 3.5 points above her average. Freshman Emersyn Eischen has had a solid year averaging 7.1 points per game in her freshman season. Alayna Vines has come on second semester has a great off the bench scoring option for Bethel with 5.2 points per game in limited minutes.Â
Tabor Players to Watch
Tayton Smith leads the Bluejays at 12.4 points per game and plays with physicality around the rim. She showed her impact in the February meeting with a double-double.
Lillie Veer averages 12.3 points per game and gives Tabor another steady scoring option.
Key Factors
Pace will matter. In conference games, Tabor averages the fewest possessions in the league. Bethel ranks fourth in pace. If Bethel speeds the game up, it favors the Threshers. If Tabor slows it down and makes every possession grind, it shifts toward the Bluejays.
Defense will also shape the outcome. Tabor ranks second in defensive efficiency in the KCAC. Bethel ranks fifth offensively.
Turnovers could decide it. Tabor forces turnovers at the second highest rate in the conference. Bethel protects the ball well and ranks fourth lowest in turnover rate.
This one comes down to tempo, discipline, and shot making in key moments. Bethel already won one at the buzzer. Wednesday night brings another chance to protect home court and move on.
