By Sterling College Athletics
STERLING, Kan. – The Sterling men’s matchups may turn into some great battles if both of these programs continue in the direction they are going. Bethany plays a physical, defensive pressure, aggressive rebound, active hands kind of game. Sterling is continuing to figure out who they are after injuries and newly eligible players have added a different dynamic to this team. When these two teams met on Wednesday night it became a hard-nosed, physical matchup that went back and forth for much of the game. In the end, it was the Bethany Swedes who were the victors this round after a sustained run in the second half secured the 71-61 win for them.
Bethany held the lead for the first 12 minutes, but I wouldn’t say they commanded the game early on. Their lead was never more than 5 over the Warriors early on and oftentimes was sitting at just 2 points before Sterling found a way to turn the tide. Lucas Briar knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 20 with just over 8 minutes to play in the first half. Much like the Bethany lead, it was never a commanding lead. Sterling was able to push the lead to 7 points at one point in the first half, but it was just a one point lead that Sterling clung to at the break, 35-34. Kavonte Kinney kept finding himself around the ball and had a big part of the first half success the Warriors had. By the half, Kinney had 13 points and 6 rebounds, both of which were top on the court. Briar and Elias Ngoga each had 5 rebounds at the intermission.
Sterling seemed to be trending in the right direction after a point of stagnant offenses by both teams. Sterling built a 6 point lead five minutes in, but did not record a point for 4 minutes. The good news for the Warriors is that Bethany did not score for 4 minutes either. However, once the scoring started for the Swedes, it came like a firehose. Sterling held a 50-42 lead before Bethany went on a 14-0 run over another 4 minute stretch. Sterling’s 8 point lead turned into a 6 point deficit. Once Bethany got the momentum, they never let it go. Sterling tried to keep pace but found themselves down 10 at several points in the second half. With 90 seconds left in the game, Sterling had a good chance to make one last run, down by 6, and shooting a pair of free throws, but were unable to convert the free throws. Bethany extended the lead back to ten with just over a minute to play and the Warriors called off the dogs and didn’t foul. Bethany handed Sterling a 71-61 loss. One that will certainly prove critical in the KCAC standings down the stretch.
A trio of Warriors scored in double figures Wednesday night. Kavonte Kinney led Sterling with 18 points and 10 rebounds, adding another double-double to his total this season. Derrian Reed added 16 points and 4 rebounds. Cedric Rollerson added 12 points, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 assists. Lucas Briar found success rebounding adding 10 of his own to go along with 4 points and 2 blocks. Sterling had more rebounds, blocks, and assists, yet found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard as time expired.
The Warriors return to the hardwood Saturday evening in the Gleason Center when Bethel College comes to town for a 7 pm tipoff.
