YORK, Neb. – The York University men's basketball team dropped an 80-70 game to Bethany College Wednesday evening.

The Panthers are now 3-6 overall, including 0-4 in KCAC action. The Swedes stand at 5-4 on the year and 2-2 against conference competition.

Trailing 19-12, Ikechukwu Nwaobi found Andrew Bennett for a jumper. Moments later, Bennett drained two free throws before finding DJ Leaks for a lay-up. An old-fashioned three-point play gave York a 21-19 lead at the 8:39 mark.

Down 28-24, Chris Dixon nailed a shot. Twenty-seven seconds later, Leaks hit two free throws to knot the score. Down 47-34, Leaks found Dave Dalge for a lay-up just before intermission to make it an 11-point contest at the break.

Bethany held a 57-40 lead but Carl Thorpe Jr., netted five straight points in 75 seconds to make it a 12-point game. Trailing 60-47, Thorpe Jr., hit two charity tosses and Dalge drained a jumper with 12:52 to play to pull the home team within nine, 60-51.

The Swedes led 67-55 before Dalge tipped in a shot. Dixon made two free throws and Leaks hit three more to make it a five-point contest at 67-62 with 7:18 to play. Trailing 74-62, Rhino Hernandez took a pass from Nwaobi and hit a shot from distance. Thorpe Jr., and Dylan Holston each canned jumpers to make it 74-69 with 2:15 to go.

Bennett hit a free throw with 1:35 on the clock, helping York pull within six at 76-70, but Bethany College hit four charity tosses down the stretch to secure the win.

Head coach Tree Burks' team was led by Thorpe Jr.'s 20-point, 13-rebound, four-block effort for a double-double. Dixon and Dalge each netted 11 points while Bennett contributed nine markers. Leaks tallied seven points while Hernandez and Nwaobi posted five points apiece.

Dixon pulled down five rebounds while Nwaobi led the team with three assists. Thorpe Jr., and Bennett each had three steals.

For the game, the Panthers hit 24-of-56 from the floor, including three-of-14 from distance. York canned 19-of-30 from the charity stripe. The home team dished out 10 assists and had 12 steals. York scored 34 points in the paint.

The Panthers return to action Saturday when they host Tabor College at 6 p.m. Live stats and video will be available at Yorkpanthers.com.