Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - After a record-setting performance just two nights ago against Augsburg, the Royals brought their high-octane offense back to the floor for an 88-80 win over visiting St. Catherine.

Bethel and St. Catherine played to a 45-45 tie at the half.  The Royals led for a majority of the first 20 minutes, going up by as many as eight points before the Wildcats climbed back into the game.  It was in the second half that the Royals stepped up the defense to go home with their third win in a row.

Kiersten Hansen (So., Eden Prairie, Minn.) scored a career-high 24 points on 7-for-13 shooting from the floor and 10-for-14 from the line.  The starting point guard also had eight assists, six rebounds, and three steals on the night. 

Shari Laugen (So., Blaine, Minn.) also posted impressive numbers with 21 points, four steals, and two rebounds.  Laugen was nearly perfect shooting the ball tonight, going 8-for-11 from the floor, including 3-for-3 from behind the arc.  She was also 2-for-2 from the line.

Gabriella Gustafson (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) and Annegret Nautsch (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) made strong contributions to the win as Gustafson had 19 points, eight rebounds, and five assists, while Nautsch scored nine points and grabbed 15 rebounds.  Nautsch also blocked six shots, raising her block per game average to 4.4, which is among the top five in the nation for D-III women.

St. Catherine's Brooke Hakanson led all scorers with 28 points, while three other Wildcats scored in the double figures.

The win helps Bethel improve to 9-6 overall and 6-6 in conference play.  The Royals currently trail Gustavus and Carleton by two games an hold a one game lead over Hamline in the standings.  Bethel will tip off against the Pipers this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hamline for their next game.  St. Catherine drops to 6-9 overall and 4-8 in the MIAC.