Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn.—After grabbing hold of a first-place tie for the second time this season, the Bethel University women's hoops team suffered a 69-57 blow to St. Olaf College in Northfield Monday night. The Royals (11-3, 9-2 MIAC) couldn't stop the Oles (9-5, 7-4 MIAC) in the first half, as the hosting squad put up 39 points on 47 percent shooting to surge ahead of BU at the half 39-30. St. Olaf then outscored Bethel 30-27 in the second half to seal the victory.
 
With the loss, Bethel is now in a three-way tie for second place with Concordia and St. Thomas, as the Cobbers topped the Tommies last Saturday. After completing the first half of the conference schedule, the Saint Mary's Cardinals are in first place—ahead of the field with an MIAC mark of 10-1.
 
The Royals were held in check all night long. The Oles defense allowed BU to shoot 29.2 percent from the floor and 11.5 percent from long range on 3-of-26 shooting. Bethel did get to the free throw line 20 times, converting 16 for an 80 percent mark from the charity stripe. St. Olaf won the rebounding competition, hauling in 47 boards, opposed to BU's 35.
 
Rachel Parupsky led the Royals again with 19 points, making five shots from the floor and earning nine more points at the free throw line (9-of-10). Parupsky grabbed five rebounds and swatted three shots. Hannah Niewald was 4-of-10 from the field for 11 points, while tallying three steals and three boards.
 
Bethel had the lead midway through the first period, but an Ole run at the end of the initial frame was all that was necessary. St. Olaf stretched its lead to 17 late in the second half before the game ended with a 12-point margin.
 
BU will look to end its road woes Wednesday evening, as they travel to Winona to take on first-place Saint Mary's University. The 7:30 p.m. matchup could have major MIAC Playoff implications, as the Cardinals and Royals are both fighting for the top spot in the conference. Bethel defeated SMU in Arden Hills 78-69 on December 4.