Salina, Kan. – The Bethany College Swedes Men’s Basketball team took a trip to Salina, Kan. to take on their biggest rivals, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes.
Bethany struggled to keep pace from the opening tip as the Coyotes erupted for 53 first-half points and carried a 26-point advantage into the locker room. Kansas Wesleyan shot over 55 percent in the opening period and consistently capitalized on second-chance opportunities, building a cushion the Swedes could not overcome. The Swedes would fall 101-65.
Despite the lopsided scoreline, Bethany showed flashes of offensive rhythm in the second half, scoring 38 points after the break while improving its shooting efficiency to 45.5 percent. Milton Kpehe provided a spark on the glass with five rebounds to go along with four points, while Berrian Delinois added four points and an assist in limited action. JJ Warfield chipped in three points and a block as the Swedes searched for answers against the Coyotes’ depth.
Kansas Wesleyan dominated the rebounding battle 55–25 and turned 24 offensive boards into 31 second-chance points, a decisive factor in the contest. The Coyotes also received a major boost from their bench, which poured in 60 points compared to Bethany’s 25.
The Swedes finished the night shooting 41.9 percent from the floor and 23.8 percent from beyond the arc, but were hindered by the Coyotes’ defensive pressure and interior presence. Bethany did find some success in the paint, scoring 34 points inside, yet could not string together enough stops to slow the home team’s balanced attack.
Up Next…
The Swedes have one more game on their schedule, and it is a tough one. Bethany will host the No. 17 Friends University Falcons for Senior Night on Saturday, February 21. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM following the completion of the women’s contest.
