Another big 4th Q sends Euts past Swedes

Playing their sixth straight road game to begin the season, the University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy were already making their second trip to Kansas and have yet to even play a game in their home state. Saturday morning, UHSP squared off against the Bethany Swedes in the final game of the Tabor Classic in Hillsboro, Kansas.

It was an electric first quarter between the Eutectics and the Swedes. There were three ties in the opening period, but following an R'Manie Pulling triple to make it 12-11, UHSP's Payten Foster made a pair of jumpers to build the lead to 16-11. Bethany would pull even at 16-16 and the Swedes were aggressive defensively as they got a turnover and headed into a 3-on-1 the other way. Elizabeth Allanach did a terrific job defensively and blocked a shot to keep the game tied. Foster and Grace Beyer would get baskets for UHSP while Kaleigh O'Brien closed the quarter with a bucket as the Eutectics led 20-18 after one period.

Samantha Matthews nailed a triple and Karsyn Morgan connected for a field goal to begin the second as the Purple and Gold built a 25-18 lead. But the Swedes constructed a 15-0 run to completely change the game around. Bethany drilled three from perimeter in that run as Beyer finally scored at 3:56 to end the Eutectics' drought that saw them go scoreless for 4:24. That hoop by Beyer started a streak for her scoring the next seven straight Eutectics points, but the Swedes were busy hitting five three-pointers in the quarter, including a banked-in triple by O'Brien to put BC up 41-32. UHSP's freshman Alivia Simily made a much needed three following the O'Brien three to pull the Eutectics to within six at 41-35, the first field goal for Simily in her Eutectic career. Bethany hit nine triples in the first half and led 44-37 at the break.

The third quarter ended up being more of a stalemate than anything else. Less than to minutes in, the two clubs traded baskets and Beyer added a couple of free throws. Then the two teams embarked on a scoreless drought that lasted 3:41. Beyer ended the scoring slump with a basket to bring UHSP within three. A pair of Bethany triples by Martina Aeschliman spread the lead to nine at 52-43, their largest lead of the game. The Eutectics were able to end the quarter on an 8-4 run to head to the fourth trailing 56-51.

The final stanza saw Elizabeth Allanach drill a three to make it 56-54. Beyer put the Euts back in front with a basket and an and-one to make it 57-56. Much like the third, offense was a struggle for both clubs as the two teams combined for 17 points over the next 7:10. Lauren Gleason made it 65-all with 1:57 left in the game. Beyer would close out the show for UHSP and turn the lights off on the Swedes as she nailed a three and converted all eight of her free throws down the stretch to seal a 76-71 win.

Grace Beyer led all scorers with 41 points, 18 of which came in the final quarter. She added four rebounds, two assists and three steals. Elizabeth Allanach and Payten Foster had eight points apiece, Allanach adding six boards. Kisa Unruh led four Swedes in double figures with 23 points. The Eutectics won despite getting 23 fewer shots than Bethany, but UHSP shot 55.8% from the floor to 36.4 for the Swedes. The two teams combined to miss only four foul shots the entire game, UHSP going 20-for-23 while BC was 11-of-12. The game featured seven ties and eight lead changes.

UHSP still has to wait until December 9 to play their first game on their home floor. But that is the next regular season game for the Eutectics as they play a pair of exhibition games before then. Coming up on Friday, the Purple and Gold visit UMSL before a trip to Rolla, MO to play Missouri S&T on Dec. 5.