Box Score
NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Bethel took on Carleton tonight, hoping to regain some ground in the ever-tightening MIAC race. Instead, the Knights handed the Royals their fourth straight loss, making it the second time this season that the Bethel-Carleton match up has been decided in the last minute and by just two points.
Jenny Holmberg (Fr., North Oaks, Minn.) stepped up and played a career-high 20 minutes and had 11 points. Gabriella Gustafson (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) had the most points of any Royal with 12.
Foul trouble doomed the Royals as starting center
Annegret Nautsch (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) fouled out with four and a half minutes left to play, changing the dynamic of the game. Bethel led 36-29 at the half after Nautsch had grabbed nine rebounds and eight points. However, she was limited to just seven minutes of playing time in the second half because due to fouls. She still finished with her 11th double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Bethel struggled at the free-throw line, shooting 14-for-24 on the night. Carleton didn't fare much better at 15-for-23. The Royals made up for it by making three more three pointers than the Knights did, but like the previous meeting between the two, the team that scored last came away with the victory.
Jenny Holmberg (Fr., North Oaks, Minn.) stepped up and played a career-high 20 minutes and had 11 points. Gabriella Gustafson (Jr., St. Louis Park, Minn.) had the most points of any Royal with 12.
Hannah Oken-Berg led all scorers with 14 points. However, it was Amber Conner that made the game winning shot for two of her nine points.
The loss drops Bethel to 9-10 overall and 6-10 in the MIAC and into a three-way tie for seventh place. The Royals are still alive in the playoff race, but have a very tough road ahead of them as they face two of the top three teams in their next games. Carleton improves to 10-6 in conference play and 11-8 overall. Bethel stays on the road for their next game and will play at St. Thomas on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
