Lindsborg, Kan. -- The Bethany College Swedes led wire-to-wire in a 99-90 win over the Mid-America Christian University Evangels tonight (Nov. 18) in Lindsborg, Kan. 

The loss is the first of the year for the Evangels, who fall to 5-1 on the season. 

Bethany took control in the first half and used a 27-9 burst to build a 21-point lead of 45-24 at the 2:13 mark before MACU cut the edge to 50-36 at the break. 

The Evangels continued surging in the second half, whittling the deficit all the way down to two when a four-point play by Reggie Davis made it 63-61 with 15:02 left.

But that would be as close as the Evangels could get, as the Swedes had an answer each time down the stretch.

The Swedes pulled back out to a nine-point lead on the strength of a 10-3 spurt over the next four minutes.

After Bethany extended the lead as high as 13 again, the Evangels made one final push as a three by Davis capped a run of seven straight points to trim the lead back down to six with 5:30 remaining. 

The Swedes again though kept the Evangels at bay as two buckets by Gary Jones sparked six straight for the Swedes that put MACU back down by 12 at the 4:11 point. 

Davis led the Evangels in both points (28) and rebounds (11).  Semar Farris scored 18 along with a team-high five assists and Jarius Wilson added 14 points.  Chris Runnels also reached double-figures with 13 points. 

Jones powered the Swedes with a game-high of 36 points and also had 10 boards. Cody Harris scored 25, while Nathan Coleman recorded a double-double of 18 points and 14 rebounds. Gidson chipped in with 11 points. 

The Evangels did manage to out-rebound the Swedes 52-45 overall and 22-14 on the offensive glass. 

MACU will next compete in the Chris Tucker Memorial Classic Friday (Nov. 21) and Saturday (Nov. 22) against a pair of NCAA D-II schools at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Mo.  

The Evangels will face Lincoln University Friday evening at 5:30 p.m. and then an exhibition contest against MSSU Saturday evening at 5 p.m.