SIDNEY – Heading to the fourth period, the Bethel Bees needed a miracle. They trailed by 14 points, and struggled to execute at times against the host Lehman Cavaliers.
In the final eight minutes, the Bees came storming back, and nearly pulled off the win, falling short 61-57 to the Cavs. Twice in the final minute, the Bees had cut the lead to one possession.

Bethel (9-8) was led in scoring by Joe Zimmerman, who had a big fourth period for a total of 13 points, while Gus Schwieterman added 11, Kyle Hamlin and Ben Schwieterman each scored 10.
It was a slow start for both teams, as neither team could find the basket in the opening couple of minutes.
Finally at the 5:56 mark, Alex Baker connected on a three for Lehman to give them a 3-0 lead. Back came the Bees, as Ben Schwieterman scored a pair of baskets, and Patrick Bain drove the paint for a layup, putting the Bees in front 6-2.
Lehman came back to tie the game at eight, and both teams battled with the lead, and when Hamlin buried a three late in the quarter, Bethel led 13-11.
A pair of late free throws from Tyler Steinke sent the game to the second period tied at 13.
Lehman started to pull away in the second, going on a 8-2 run to extend their lead to 26-17 midway through the period. Gus Schwieterman broke the run with a layup, and Hamlin bombed in a three, closing the Bees deficit to only four. Again, the Cavs answered with a run, ending the half with a 10-4 spread, and going into the half with a 36-26 lead.
Things continued for the Cavs in the third period, as John Slagle opened with a quick three to keep the momentum going, but the Bees stayed close.
Jordan Holtvogt and Kody Kahle both had key baskets for the Bees late in the quarter, keeping the Bethel deficit at around ten.
Then came the fourth period for the Bees.
Bain and Gus Schwieterman both scored early to close the Cavs lead to 47-37, but the Cavs wouldn’t fold. The teams traded baskets and free throws until the five minute mark, when Bethel started their comeback.
Zimmerman hit a short jumper, and Gus Schwieterman added a free throw to cut the Cavs lead to seven.
Zimmerman added another three, and when Hamlin scored on a layup with one minute left, Bethel trailed 57-55.
Lehman answered to go back up four, and Bethel quickly turned the ball over. Slagle missed four free throws down the stretch for the Cavs, and when Gus Schwieterman scored with six seconds left, Lehmans lead was 59-57.
They iced the game with two free throws in the final seconds, and sent Bethel home falling just short.