The Sterling College men's basketball team hosted the Bethel College Threshers on Saturday to a near-packed Gleason Center for their Saturday KCAC matchup. Sterling's offense started off hot in the second half to pull away from the Threshers for a 77-64 victory over Bethel.

In the first half, Sterling's offense started off on the cold side, never getting a foothold against the Threshers. Bethel got the upper edge at the 16:34 minute mark in the first half with an 8-4 lead against Sterling. The Warriors found their rhythm after a Braden Thompson (SR/South Hutchinson, Kan.) put-back to ignite Sterling's 14-2 run, taking back the lead and also the game for a 22-10 score with 9:26 left in the game.

Sterling continued to put on the pressure before the Threshers started to gain momentum to get back into the game. Bethel was able to stop the offensive onslaught by Sterling and put together an 8-0 run to get within striking distance of the Warriors with 3:32 left in the game. Sterling looked determine to put a stop to the Bethel flurry of points by attacking the basket and testing Bethel's presence down low. Braden Thompson was the go-to offensive weapon in the first half and found his opportunity at the free-throw line to etch his name in Sterling's history books when he sunk his 17th point of the game on a free throw in the closing minutes to become the newest member of the 1,000th point to take a 37-30 lead going into the half.

The Warriors found their way in the second half to get to the rim and sink shots from all over the floor. Sterling started the half on a 17-6 run to break away from the Threshers making it a 56-36 score with 12:26 left on the clock. This new-found offensive resurgence got the crowd on their feet with every basket scored by Sterling. The Warriors continued to find ways to score but the Threshers also found their needed offensive push to get back in the game.

Bethel chipped away at the Sterling lead but the Warriors fed off the crowd's energy to hold on to their lead and defeat Bethel 77-64.

The leading scorer in the game was Thompson with 21 points to become the 21st men's basketball player to accomplish the feat of 1,000 points and also became the 21st all-time leading scorer in men's basketball history with 1,003 points in his career. Rolando Gardner (JR/Oklahoma City, Okla.) was second on the team with 13. Thompson finished off the night also leading Warriors in rebounds with 7, including four on the offensive side of the court.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #swordsup. Watch all of the Warriors’ live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.