NEWCASTLE — Bethany struggled to knock down shots as the Bronchos fell to Newcastle for the second time in a week, this time a 39-33 loss in the Sweet Pea Invitational.

“Tough game. I can’t remember if we’ve ever had a worse shooting performance,” Bethany coach Brett Cannon said after Bethany went 6-of-22 from inside the paint. “Did all the right things on both sides and the ball just couldn’t find the bottom of the net.”

After playing to a 12-12 tie at halftime. Newcastle inched ahead in the third quarter for a 27-23 lead, extending it in the fourth quarter for a low-scoring game.

“It’s frustrating for sure but I believe in our guys and their ability to do what it takes to win games,” Cannon said. “Struggled some doing that this first half of the season but we are capable of so much more. Just need to get there ASAP.”

Bethany senior Wyatt Geissler paced the Bronchos with 11 points. Geissler hit 3 treys in the second half.

Racer senior Zach Cragg scored a game-high 15 points, including 10 in the third quarter. Cragg’s performance comes after scoring 24 points in Tuesday’s game between the two schools.

UP NEXT

The Bronchos meet Classen S.A.S. (8-8) Saturday (Jan. 25) at 2:30 p.m. for third place in the tournament.

The Comets fell to Lawton MacArthur, 55-51, Friday.

	1	2	3	4	F
Bethany (8-6)	6	6	11	10	33
Newcastle (8-7)	6	6	15	12	39