LAKEWOOD, CO- The Cougars closed their slate for the year with a home game against Bethany College (Kan.) on Saturday afternoon. After a back and forth battle, hot shooting from three gave the Swedes a road victory 79-76 over CCU. 

Bradley Land immediately got a layup to go, and Promise Idiaru made a layup of his own to extend the lead. Shaylen Woodberry splashed home a three-pointer for a 7-0 lead, and Jacob Everson made a layup followed by an Idiaru dunk for the 13-11 lead midway through the half. 

The two teams went back and forth, and the Swedes took an eight point lead with some threes in quick succession. Schafer Reichart converted a layup to give his team the lead back. Tate Odvody hit a late jumper, and Reichart drilled a late layup to give his team the 42-36 advantage. 

Reichart started the second half with a quick layup, and an Odvody basket made it a 46-36 lead. Consecutive threes from the Swedes made it a close game again, and they took the two point lead at the 15:14 mark. The lead grew to 7 for Bethany as 10 minutes remained in the game. 

With a three-point barrage continuing, the Cougars stayed calm and began to climb their way back into the game. Land got several baskets to go to make it a one point lead with just 2:14 to play. The Swedes were able to hold off the late attempt from CCU as they ultimately hung on for a 79-76 victory. 

Land and Reichart poured in 18 and 16 points respectively, and Idiaru chipped in 12 points and 7 rebounds. Reichart and Woodberry each had 3 assists apiece to lead their team. 

With their 2024 slate complete, Colorado Christian will now prepare for the New Year and a matchup at home on January 3 against Northern New Mexico College at 5 p.m. MST.