The Kansas Wesleyan men shot 56 percent from the field the second half and got within one point twice the final 34 seconds but couldn't get over the hump.
Bethel made 3 of 4 free throws the final 8.6 seconds sandwiched around a Coyote turnover and hung on for a 68-64 Kansas Conference victory Wednesday night inside Mabee Arena.
KWU dropped to 11-14, 9-10 in the conference while Bethel improved to 18-7 and 13-6.
The game was a seesaw battle, the lead changing hands eight times along with six ties.
The Coyotes trailed 29-26 at halftime after committing 11 turnovers but kept battling throughout the final 20 minutes. Stefan Spray's basket with 12:02 left in the game gave KWU a 43-42 lead but Bethel responded with an 11-2 run and led 53-45 with 7½ minutes left. Wesleyan promptly answered with a 7-0 burst and was within 53-52 with 4½ minutes remaining.
Caiden Punt's four-point play got Coyotes within 63-62 with 33.9 seconds left and a Spray dunk with 15.3 seconds left made it 65-64 before the Threshers closed it out.
"We're sitting at 19 turnovers, and we've got to make sure we get that under control," coach Jordan Murdock said on the postgame radio show. "But I thought we fought to the very end and that's what it's about for me. We're learning lessons through these games, especially when we do things like turning the ball over and missing all those bunnies (easy shots) around the basket. That will cost you games."
Bethel scored 20 points off KWU's turnovers, but the Coyotes tallied 16 points off the Threshers' 15 turnovers. Wesleyan outscored Bethel 36-32 in the paint and got 21 points from the bench.
"With the number of freshmen we've got on the floor it's about building our mentality, understanding that we can't control everything on the court like the referees, missed shots ... you're not going to be perfect out there," Murdock said. "I want them to understand that they've got to be present and they've got to understand that we have to move on to the next play. I think we're getting that."
Brandon Avedon led KWU with 17 points and five assists while Spray, the team's backup center, had 12 points, eight rebounds and two blocks off the bench. Punt added 10 points and five rebounds.
"Stef gave us that boost off the bench, especially with Evens (Appolon) having a tough night, especially in the first half," Murdock said. "(Spray) has been reliable and dependable in that area, and he's done what seniors are supposed to do. He's a big part of our team."
KWU shot 46 percent for the game (26 of 57), was 6 of 19 from 3-point range but 6 of 11 at the free throw line. Bethel shot 42 percent (26 of 62), 6 of 14 from deep and 10 of 13 at the foul line.