ELK CITY — Bethany’s shooting went cold, especially in the fourth quarter, in a 42-37 loss to Elk City Friday (Jan. 30) in a Western Athletic Conference matchup.

The loss broke an 11-game winning streak for the Bronchos, eighth-ranked in 4A and earned the 20th-ranked Elkettes their first win against a ranked opponent this eason.

The two teams were tied, 32-32 to start the fourth quarter. Junior Cam Regier’s layup with 7:10 left gave Bethany the lead.

Bethany wouldn’t score again until the 1:53 mark on a Regier free throw. In the meantime, Elk City senior Laz Ulrich scored the next eight points with mid-range jumpers. Ulrich finished with 11 points.

Leading 40-34, the Elkettes began to play stall ball to drain the clock. Senior Maddison McNutt snagged a steal with 1:59 left that led to a foul to put Regier at the line. She hit the back end of two free throws.

Senior Madison Bibbs stole a Elk City pass in the back court after the free throw, leading to a Regiers layup to make it 40-37 with 1:39 left.

The Bronchos had a chance to tie when Regier intercepted another stall ball pass. Bethany couldn’t score, however, when junior Ali Linn’s pass to senior Reese Harris was intercepted with 45 seconds left.

The Bronchos forced a jump ball with 22 seconds remaining but the possession arrow pointed toward the Elkettes. Bethany was forced to foul and Elk City junior Luci O’Hara sank two free throws to make it 42-37.

The Bronchos’ cold shooting continued and a loose ball after a missed Bethany shot went rolling towards the other basket. There was another desperation shot but time expired.

Reiger finished with 18 points on 7-of-23 shooting. She had a double-double with 10 rebounds. Reiger also had two steals.

Maddison McNutt and Harris each scored six points in the loss. Harris had nine rebounds.

As a team, the Bronchos just over 28 percent from the field.

The loss was Bethany’s first since a 59-52 defeat at home against Woodward on Dec. 16.

UP NEXT

Bethany (15-3) returns home to host Cache Tuesday (Feb. 3) at 6:30 p.m. in another WAC game.

The Bulldogs (12-6) beat Clinton Saturday, 59-39.

The Bronchos routed Cache 62-15 on Dec. 12 in the Southern Oklahoma Invitational at Duncan.

	1	2	3	4	F
Bethany (15-3)	16	6	10	5	37
Elk City (11-6)	10	11	11	10	42