Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - There are heartbreaking losses, and then there are heartbreaking losses in which the heart is ripped out and torn in half. Tonight was a case of the latter. Bethel maintained a lead for the majority of the game, but when the final buzzer sounded the scoreboard read Gustavus 57, Bethel 56.

To say the game was close would be an understatement. The Gusties matched the Royals basket for basket, and the two teams traded leads often - at least during the first 20 minutes of the contest. At the end of a flip-flopping first half the Royals had the upper hand and led 23- 22 after stealing back their lead in the last six minutes of the half. 

In the second half, Bethel came out with the same fire they had ended with in the first, seemingly scorching any chance Gustavus had for a victory. Though the Gusties remained within striking distance, the Royals didn't surrender their lead until the Gusties' final basket with two seconds left in the game. With a team timeout and a layup by Gustavus' Emily Nelson, Bethel's lead was gone. The Royals had one last chance, and with 2.3 seconds remaining, Kiersten Hansen (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.) launched a pass 3/4 of the way down the floor to Annegret Nautsch (Sr., Everett, Wash.) who tipped it to Taylor Sheley (Fr., Backus, Minn.) who was charging toward the basket. Sheley fielded it cleanly, but her momentum carried her too hard and too fast, forcing her layup attempt to miss, thus ending the game in heartbreaking fashion as opposed to heroic fashion.

It was apparent very early that each team would need someone to lead them to a victory. For Bethel, that lead was undoubtedly Sheley. The starting point guard had a phenomenal game with 18 points and 10 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double, including a late three point play that pushed Bethel three points past Gustavus. She also contributed five assists, four steals, and four of Bethel's 10 blocks. Autumn Beasley(Fr., Medina, Minn.) also added to the effort with nine points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Nautsch had eight points and eight rebounds, as well as four blocks and a steal.

For Gustavus, the leaders were Emily Nelson with 15 points - including the game-winning basket, and Julia Schultz, who had 11.

The Gusties out shot the Royals in both halves, though the Royal's field goal percentage was better, ending with almost 47 percent to the Gusties' 36 percent. Gustavus, however, sank five out of 16 three pointers during the game, while Bethel did not make any of their eight attempts. Turnovers were also an issue for the Royals, and in the first half alone they gave up the ball 16 times, while Gustavus did so only nine times.

With the heartbreaking loss, Bethel moves to 5-7 overall and 4-5 in conference play. Gustavus, currently second in the MIAC standings, moves to 7-2, and 9-3 overall. Bethel's next home game is scheduled to be held on Saturday when they take on Augsburg at 1 p.m.