HILLSBORO, Kan. - Kelsi Mueller made two free throws with 4 seconds left as the Lady Swedes handed the Lady Owls their first loss of the season Friday at the Tabor College Classic.
William Woods University (3-1) trailed by 10 points midway through the fourth quarter before rallying. The Lady Owls used a 10-0 run to pull even, tying the game at 59-all when sophomore guard Tori Nesslage hit one-of-two free throws with 2:30 to play.
Bethany College (3-2) regained the lead on Mueller's basket in the paint with 1:34 remaining, but William Woods tied the game again at 61-all when junior guard Kaycee Gerald scored in the lane with :20 left.
Mueller then came up with a steal with time running down, was fouled and converted the free throws to put the Lady Swedes on top to stay.
The Lady Owls had one last chance to tie the game and force overtime, but Gerald's shot was off the mark with :01 to go.
William Woods was down six points in the first quarter, but responded with a 7-0 run to take the lead. Freshman forward Kasey Hazell topped off the run with a layup to give the Lady Owls an 11-10 edge with 2:38 left.
William Woods carried the slim advantage into the second quarter. The contest was then tied at 19-all when Bethany went on an 8-0 run to go back in front. A Mueller 3-pointer extended the Lady Swedes' advantage to 27-21 with 2:45 remaining in the first half.
The Lady Owls closed within 27-25 at halftime when junior guard Peyton Greenlee scored in the paint with :08 to play.
William Woods trailed throughout the third quarter as Bethany twice owned five-point leads, the latter coming at 45-40 with :14 left in the period.
Gerald - who connected on 7-of-10 shots - produced 16 points to pace four players in double figures for the Lady Owls, who shot 46 percent (25-of-55) as a team. Greenlee was next with 15 points, Nesslage came off the bench to supply 12 and junior guard Ashleigh Frampton contributed 10.
Greenlee - who had six steals - also collected a team-high six rebounds as William Woods was edged on the boards 34-31.
Mueller, who finished 4-of-9 from 3-point range, sparked the Lady Swedes with a game-high 20 points. Sena Aktas chipped in with 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while Cassidy Enns added 10 points.
Bethany shot 41 percent (21-of-51) from the field.
The Lady Owls concluded tournament play against host Tabor late Saturday afternoon. Results were not available at press time.