Shooting Woes Haunt Sterling in Loss to Bethel

Sterling, Kan. – There are some nights that there is a proverbial lid on the basket and it seems nearly impossible to score a basket. Wednesday night was one of those nights as the Warriors lost in the Gleason Center to the Bethel College Threshers, 64-52. As you can tell by the score, neither team had much success in putting points up on the board.

Sterling saw several scoring droughts in the first half. The upside of a tough shooting night is additional focus on the defensive end. That is exactly what we saw from the Warriors. As they struggled to score on the offensive end, they brought additional intensity on the defensive side of the ball, causing empty possessions for Bethel, and keeping Sterling in the contest. Because of the defensive intensity, the game became physical at times, keeping the scoring down as well. After the first twenty minutes of play, and shooting just 21 percent from the field, Sterling was very much in the game trailing by just ten points, 28-18.

Bethel kept Sterling at arm's length in the second half. The Warriors cut the lead to just 7 late in the second half, but Bethel did not let them get any closer than that. Sterling was outscored by a basket in the second half and ended the game with a twelve-point loss. Sterling doubled their first-half shooting percentage in the final twenty minutes. The 64-52 loss drops Sterling's record to 9-5 overall and 5-4 in the KCAC.

Sterling was led by Brandon Doss with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals. Mooch Austin and Lucas Briar each had 11 to support Doss. Austin also had 6 rebounds to lead the Warriors and 3 assists. Briar added 5 rebounds.

Sterling is on the road Saturday, Jan. 13, to face an up and coming Friends University Falcons team. Friends have won their last 2 contests after a slow start in the KCAC.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.