Yakubu shines in conference opener, as Thresher men's basketball falls to Saint Mary
Yakubu finished with a double-double as Bethel moves to 4-3 on the season and 0-1 in conference play
Despite a standout double-double from Carmelo Yakubu, the Bethel College men’s basketball team was unable to fend off the Saint Mary Spires, falling 84-72 in their KCAC opener on Saturday night. The Threshers’ high-effort moments were overshadowed by key defensive struggles and untimely turnovers, making for a tough away loss.
The game began with a lively exchange of baskets, as the Threshers traded scores with Saint Mary, staying within reach throughout much of the opening period. Yakubu, the 6’4 junior from Houston, set the tone early with determined drives to the hoop, while the fifth-year senior from Andover, Harper Jonas, found his shooting stroke to keep Bethel on pace. However, as the half progressed, Saint Mary began to expose weaknesses in the Threshers’ ball handling. A string of turnovers allowed the Spires to take control, capitalizing on each Bethel mistake with efficient scoring. By halftime, Bethel faced a 39-30 deficit, with the Spires finding success from beyond the arc and using quick transition plays to widen the gap.
Coming out of the break, Bethel showed determination, with Yakubu taking charge in the paint. He poured in 18 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, dominating the boards and making his presence felt at both ends of the floor. Jonas also chipped in, connecting from three-point range to give the home crowd reason to believe in a comeback. Several times, Bethel closed the gap to single digits, sparking momentum with defensive stops and quick counterattacks.
Yet, Saint Mary’s offensive efficiency continued to be a problem for the Threshers. The Spires converted on 56% of their second-half shots, demonstrating an ability to respond each time Bethel gained momentum. Turnovers once again plagued the Threshers, and Saint Mary’s poised free-throw shooting kept the game out of reach.
“It was a tough game, and I thought we played fairly well outside of two things,” Head Coach Jayson Artaz explained. “We turned the ball over too much and weren’t disciplined enough on defense. We put them at the line way too much and didn’t get stops down the stretch when we needed it. Offensively, we scored efficiently after the first ten minutes, but we have to figure out the defensive side of the ball in close games.”
Despite the loss, Yakubu’s performance stands out as a bright spot. Finishing with 25 points and 10 rebounds, he anchored Bethel’s efforts and showed why he’s a key player for the team moving forward. His dominance inside kept the Threshers in striking distance, and his relentless play inspired teammates throughout the night.
The Threshers will now look to regroup before their next test, a home match up against Southwestern College on Wednesday, Nov. 20th at 7:00 p.m.