Bethel women's basketball gives Kansas Wesleyan first defeat in KCAC play
The Thresher women handed the Coyotes their first loss since Nov. 9th and forced Kansas Wesleyan to 18 turnovers.
SALINA — The Bethel College women’s basketball team defeated Kansas Wesleyan 69-61 on Wednesday, giving the Coyotes their first loss in KCAC play.
The Coyotes were 8-0 in conference play and hadn’t lost since Nov. 9th before the Threshers went into Salina and ended their KCAC winning streak.
“I think what made this win possible was us as a team staying consistent in every aspect of the game,” said sophomore Kendall Locke, from Azle, Tex. “Against a great team who is undefeated you have to make very few mistakes and cause them to make [mistakes] and I think we executed that perfectly.”
Locke stuffed the stat sheet for the Threshers with 18 points, eight rebounds, and four steals in the win. Natalie Richards and Madyson McKinzie both added 15 points for Bethel, rounding out the scorers in double figures.
When asked about what made this win possible for the Threshers, head coach Rocky Lamar said this:
“We were able to disrupt them offensively and then we managed to hold on at the end,” said Coach Lamar.
“Disrupt” would appear to be a good word for the Threshers’ defense against the Coyotes, as they forced 18 turnovers and held Kansas Wesleyan to 11% shooting from behind the three point line.
Coach Lamar gave credit to the team, and also to the players who are not seeing as much time on the court during games.
“This team is beginning to believe in what we are doing and in the ability of each one of their teammates,” said Coach Lamar. “The group that plays the most is so thankful for the girls who are making them better each day.”
The Threshers are sitting at 6-3 in KCAC play, and are one of eight teams to have 6 wins or better in conference play. The Threshers know where they sit, and are ready to do what it takes to face the rest of their challenging KCAC regular season.
“It is a wake up call for all of us that when we play with full intensity, confidence, and hustle we can win against anyone in this conference,” said Locke. “This shows us that the only thing that gets in the way of us being great is ourselves.”
The Threshers take on Saint Mary on Saturday, Jan. 11th at 3 p.m. in Thresher Gym.