Goodwell, Okla. – The Bethany College Swedes Men’s Basketball team opened their season on the road in Goodwell, Okla. to face the Oklahoma Panhandle State University Pioneers. Last year, the Pioneers came to Lindsborg and escaped with a victory, but this time it was the Swedes’ turn to spoil a home opener.
The Pioneers would score the opening points of the contest, but Noah Gergley would put the Swedes on the board with two free throws made to knot it up. Following a three-pointer by Panhandle, Will Martinez would make it on the next possession and Keddric Mays II would tack on another deep ball to put the Swedes up 8-5. Things would stay neck-and-neck as neither team could grab more than a two-possession lead throughout the first half. At the break, both teams would return to their locker rooms tied 34-34.
To open the second half, the Pioneers would start with the momentum early scoring the first five points of the period. The Swedes would not be bothered as they would slowly trim down the lead until Keddric Mays II would convert an and-one layup to take the lead 43-42. From that point on, there were six ties and eight lead changes. The Swedes would have to stand tall at the end after Donovan Newton hit a clutch free throw to put the Swedes up 73-71 with 12 seconds left to play. Jacob Neubert would ice the game with a last-second block on a three-point attempt that would have won it for the Pioneers. The Swedes would escape Goodwell, Okla. with a win in their season opener and the first for Head Coach Terrence Murphy.
Donovan would lead the charge from the bench with 21 points to go along with seven rebounds, three assists (team-high), one steal and a block. Will Martinez would shine in his debut with 19 pints going 5-for-9 from downtown. Keddric Mays II tacked on 18 points and team-highs in rebounds (9) and steals (4).
As a team, the Swedes opened the season with the best free throw percentage in a game with over 20 attempts going 18-21 (85.7%)
Up Next…
The Swedes will get the weekend off before hosting Haskell Indian Nations University on Monday, November 3, for Bethany’s home opener. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM in Hahn Gymnasium.
