Late surge by Friends hands Bethel men a narrow defeat
Freshman Patterson had a standout game as the Threshers fell to 1-3 in conference play
The Bethel College men's basketball team came up short in a hard-fought game against Friends University on Wednesday night, falling 76-74 in Thresher Gym. Despite standout performances from several players and a strong first-half effort, the Threshers (5-5, 1-3 KCAC) could not hold off the Falcons (6-2, 3-1 KCAC) in the closing moments of the game.
Bethel came out with intensity, executing their game plan effectively and putting on a shooting clinic in the first half. Freshman Trenton Patterson’s precision from deep proved pivotal early, as the freshman from Dallas nailed all five of his three-point attempts to give the Threshers a boost off the bench. Patterson’s contributions, combined with strong offensive play from the 6’9 sophomore from Round Rock, Tex. Cade Kittrell, and Nick Bonner, a senior from Derby, helped Bethel build a double-digit lead heading into the final minutes of the half.
The Threshers' defensive energy also played a key role in establishing their early advantage. They disrupted Friends’ rhythm, forcing tough shots and limiting second-chance opportunities. However, the Falcons found a way to chip away late in the half, trimming Bethel’s lead to single digits before the break.
The momentum shifted in the second half as Friends capitalized on Bethel's mistakes. Turnovers plagued the Threshers, with the Falcons turning 18 Bethel giveaways into 17 points. While Patterson, Kittrell, and Bonner continued to lead the offensive charge, the Threshers struggled to contain Friends' balanced attack.
Kee’on Hutton emerged as the difference-maker for the Falcons, finishing with a game-high 22 points. Friends also found success on the glass, narrowly out-rebounding Bethel and grabbing critical offensive boards down the stretch.
Despite late-game heroics from Patterson and Kittrell, the Threshers couldn’t quite close the gap. Friends knocked down clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal the game, leaving Bethel to reflect on missed opportunities.
“With our game coming up Saturday, I’m hoping we can turn the corner as a team,” Head Coach Jayson Artaz said. “We’ve been in the position to win a lot this year, but we get tight and play scared to lose. That was the issue in the second half on Wednesday. We need to go out and play with a free mind and be on the attack for the entirety of the game.”
In response to who he will be counting on the next time out:
“I’m not necessarily looking for individual performances right now, but rather, can our team handle adversity and stay together as a unit? If we can do that, I think we’ll be okay.”
The Threshers will return to Thresher Gym on Saturday, December 7th, to take on Evangel University at 2:00 PM. With an opportunity to reset and regroup, Bethel will aim to focus on consistent execution on both ends of the court as they prepare for the remainder of the season.