HESSTON, Kan. — Hesston College used a dominant middle stretch and a 46-point performance from its bench to roll past Manhattan Christian College, 77-59, on Monday night inside Yost Gym. After trailing 17-15 at the end of the first quarter, the Larks erupted for 28 points in the second and outscored the Thunder 47-18 across the second and third quarters to take full control of the game.
Brooke Bettis ignited the Hesston offense with 13 points on 4-for-6 shooting, including four three-pointers, as part of a balanced scoring effort. Keira Pineda added 10 points, three assists and a team-high five steals, while Presley Wilson provided an efficient 9 points and six rebounds off the bench. Sarah Beltran also scored 9 points with a first-quarter jumper that helped swing early momentum, and Mia Brown chipped in 6 points and three rebounds.
Hesston’s second-quarter surge proved decisive. Trailing 19-15 early in the period, the Larks ripped off a series of scoring runs sparked by Pineda’s pair of threes and Bettis’ outside shooting. Hesston’s defense clamped down as well, forcing turnovers and limiting Manhattan Christian to just nine points in the quarter. By halftime, the Larks led 43-26 after shooting 42 percent from the field and building a commanding 24-14 rebounding margin.
The Larks continued to pour it on in the third quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 27. Bench scoring remained a major factor as Wilson, Avery and Brown each delivered key baskets, and Hesston’s pressure defense generated 11 steals on the night. With a 62-35 advantage entering the fourth, Hesston held off a late Manhattan Christian push powered by 22 points from Nekayla Williams and 14 from Macayla Hines, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Hesston finished the game shooting 42 percent overall and 33 percent from deep, while dominating the glass 52-32, including 18 offensive rebounds. The Larks also tallied 15 assists and outscored Manhattan Christian 46-4 in bench production.
The Larks will return to Yost Center on Wednesday (Nov. 19) to host Kansas Christian College at noon.
