Bethel women win thriller in Sterling
Richards hit the go-ahead basket to win the game with one second left in regulation.
STERLING — The Bethel Women’s basketball team defeated the reigning three time KCAC champions of Sterling in a thriller on Wednesday, in a game where both teams were tied in the KCAC standings with records of 4-4. In the end, the Threshers hit a shot in crunch time to win 87-85 over the Warriors.
The Threshers started the game relatively slow, down 11 points with three minutes left in the first quarter, and turning the ball over ten times in the first half of play. Despite this, Bethel went into halftime only being down one point.
“We took better care of the ball and our shot selection was really good after falling behind so quickly,” said interim head coach Rocky Lamar on the Threshers’ comeback against Sterling.
With the help of 50% shooting from the field, and only three turnovers, the Threshers were able to crawl back and secure the win, behind a go-ahead basket hit by junior guard Natalie Richards in the final seconds.
“We’re getting tougher as a team,” said freshman Kendall Locke from Azle, Tex. “We have grown so much in the last few weeks and I believe it is paying off on the court.”
The Threshers enjoyed a range of great performances from their team. Richards led the team with 17 points, and Madyson McKinzie followed with 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Locke added 14 points, eight assists, and four steals, and both Caryn Yoder and Josie Stupey added 12 points for Bethel.
The Threshers are coming off one of their top performances of the season after snapping a nine-game losing streak against Sterling, that dates back to 2019, and they are feeling confident about their chances for the remainder of the season as they head into conference play.
“Bethel women’s basketball has always been looked down on, but this group of women is going to change the perspectives that people have,” said McKinzie from Dumas, Ark.
The Threshers are tied for fifth place in the KCAC with a record of 5-4 in conference play and are looking to improve that record against Oklahoma Wesleyan on Saturday 3 p.m. in Thresher Gym.