Wichita, Kan. (BethanySwedes.com) – The Bethany College Swedes Men’s Basketball team took I-135 down to Wichita, Kansas to face the Friends University Falcons for the second time this season. The Swedes came out victorious in the first matchup between the two squads.
Kobe Samake Kranjc opened the game with a vicious dunk to give the Swedes a 2-0 on their first possession, but the Falcons would answer right back to even the score on their first possession as well. Play would remain close for majority of the first half as there were 4 ties and 6 lead changes in the first 10 minutes alone. Friends would begin to pull away in the final six minutes of the first period to push the lead into double-digits, but the Swedes would cut the lead to 9 points by halftime.
Bethany would begin the half with some momentum slowly trimming the Falcon-lead to 1 point over the first 6 minutes of the second period. Unfortunately, the Falcons would wake up and never gave up the lead. The Swedes would fall 79-72.
Maurice Cudjo II would lead the charge with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, and a block. Devin Spencer would add 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals. Noah Simiskey would score double-digits for the second game in a row with 10 points to go along with a team-high 5 assists. Will Dominguez would lead the Swedes in rebounds with 5.
Both teams shot identical percentages from the floor, but the Swedes were able to hit 5 more 3-pointers than Falcons, but were outscored at the charity strike 20 free throws made to 12. Defensively, Bethany forced more turnovers and scored more off those turnovers, but rebounding proved to be a huge factor as the Falcons outrebounded the Swedes 49-26.
Up Next…
The Swedes are set to take on their biggest rivals, the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes on Wednesday, February 7th. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM following the women’s game.
