BETHANY – Seventh-ranked Bethany’s comeback fell short Thursday (Feb. 22) as unranked Bishop McGuinness upset the Bronchos, 45-42, in the first round of the Class 4A Area II Regional Playoffs.

Despite holding a four-point lead after the first quarter, the Bronchos (17-8) saw the Irish (12-12) pass them in the second quarter after going on an 11-0 run late in the quarter.

Bethany roared back in the third quarter, tying the game at 29-29 on a Garrett Johnson bucket at 6:15. McGuinness answered with another 10-0 run late in the third quarter.

The Bronchos came back late in the third quarter and early ein the fourth with Johnson and junior Wyatt Geissler scoring eight straight points to cut the deficit to one point at 38-37.

Bethany had several opportunities late in the game set up by their defense. With 11 seconds left and trailing 43-40, junior Braxton Mullins stole the inbounds pass which led to a putback bucket by fellow junior Jackson Payne to cut the deficit to one point.

Irish junior Cooper Bradley, who scored a game-high 24 points, hit two free throws with :04 left to make it 45-42.

The Bronchos had one more opportunity but junior Aiden Todd’s 3-pointer before the buzzer was off the mark, sealing the win for McGuinness

Bethany fell despite having three players score in double figures. Johnson scored 12 points, drilling two treys. Payne added 11 points and Todd finished with 10 points, nailing two 3-pointers.

Broncho coach Brett Cannon was happy with the defensive performance during each comeback, but it didn’t last.

“We did a good job of getting stops when we need to, but then when it got tight and it got to a tie game,” Cannon said. “I think we just relaxed a little bit and then they would jump back on us.”

“Then, we’d get stopped at the end, and then we would relax. It was just a rollercoaster to the end,” Cannon said. “We just gotta be better than that.”

Cannon praised Mullins who, in addition to the key steal late in the game, also hit a crucial trey with :36 left to pull the Bronchos within three points, 43-40.

“He just brings it every day, no matter what, playing bad, playing good,” Cannon said. “It’s good to see him show up.”

UP NEXT: Bethany meets meets Purcell in the regional consolation bracket Friday (Feb. 23) at 2:30 p.m. at Bethany High School.

The Bronchos played in Purcell’s Heart of Oklahoma Basketball Tournament earlier this season but did not play the 12-13 Dragons. Purcell lost at home, 71-20, to Harding Fine Arts Thursday (Feb. 22).

TEAM	1	2	3	4	F
Bishop McGuinness	10	19	9	7	45
Bethany	14	9	9	10	42