Springfield, Mo. – The Bethany College Swedes Men’s Basketball team took a trip out to Springfield, Mo. to take on the Mission University Patriots in a non-conference matchup.
In what was a closely contested first half, neither team could obtain a double-digit lead as the Swedes would continue to stay in the fight refusing to let the Patriots run away with it. In the final four minutes of the first period, the Swedes would go from down five to up two and go into the break with a 50-48 lead.
The second half was just as close as the first as the Swedes would not establish a two-possession lead until Milton Kpehe hit a jump shot with 13:56 left to put Bethany up 64-59. The Patriots would not bow down as they would continue to push the Swedes and ultimately wound up getting their first lead (83-82) with 6:52 on the clock and extended the lead to four with a three-pointer following an empty possession for the Swedes. Now with their backs against wall, Donovan Newton would cash two free throws and a layup to tie up the game and Keddric Mays II would put Bethany ahead 88-86 with a made layup. Following a JJ Warfield free throw, the Patriots would score three points to knot it at 89 apiece with 1:42 left to play. Neither team would score again before the final buzzer, so we went to overtime.
The extra period was all gas, no brakes for the Swedes as they went a perfect six-for-six from the floor and held the Patriots to just two-for-nine shooting. Bethany would outscore Mission 16-4 in overtime and escape Springfield with a 105-93 victory.
Keddric Mays II continued his dominance on the floor with another 25+ point game (28 points) to go along with six rebounds, three assists, and a team-high four steals. Donovan Newton only sat on the bench for two minutes scoring 23 points to go along with a team-high seven assists, six rebounds, and two assists. Milton Kpehe had his best game of the season racking up a double-double with 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds.
Turnovers played a major role in this one as the Swedes only turned the ball over six times compared to the Patriots’ 18. That lead to Bethany scoring 19 points of turnovers compared to Mission’s five. This contest featured 17 ties and nine lead changes.
Up Next…
The Swedes will return to conference action at home against the Sterling College Warriors on Wednesday, November 19. Tip is scheduled for 8:00 PM following the women’s contest in Ray D. Hahn Gymnasium.
