NORTH NEWTON, Kan. – Bluejay Men's Basketball returned to the hardwood Wednesday evening as they made the short trip down the road to North Newton to face bitter rival Bethel College in the second meeting between the two programs this season.
 
The Bluejays found themselves down big early with Bethel taking a 16-3 lead at the 16:14 mark. A resurgence, led by Kam Kaniper and Kalep Crane helped the Bluejays fight their way back into the game, coming back within six points of the Threshers. Towards the end of the first half, Bethel pushed their lead back out, taking a 14-point lead into the halftime break, 38-24.
 
Throughout the second half, the score fluctuated, but the Threshers remained in the lead. Bethel maintained an 18-point lead until after the 1:25 mark. Brett Buckingham, Danzel Mendez, Joao Maria Serra Pereira, Hayden Lucas, and Ibraheem Chaudri entered the game shortly before and closed the gap tremendously, thanks to a quick three and a quick two from Lucas and a quick two from Pereira. Ultimately, Bethel went on to win by 10.
 
Kalep Crane led the way on the scoring front with 30, while James Shoenfelt followed with 19 points. Crane recorded a double-double on the night, also going for 11 rebounds to lead the Bluejays on that front as well. Zach Hiebert led the team in steals with two.
 
Saturday marks the close of the 2024-25 campaign for the Bluejays as they make the trip east to Kansas City, Mo. to take on Avila University in one final contest.
 
Be sure to stay up to date with all information regarding Bluejay Athletics by following us on X at @gotaborbluejays, on Instagram and Facebook @taborbluejays, and on our official athletic website, taborbluejays.com.
 
Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).