Box Score

MORRIS, Minn. - Starting a new year with an influx of new faces, the Bethel Royals offense could not find a rhythm, dropping their season opener to the University of Minnesota-Morris, 68-56.

Neither team mustered much in the first half, with the Royals shooting just 31% from the field, but converting five of six free-throw attempts to remain close. Even with a lack of shooting, a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Kristi Nye (So., Nashville, Tenn.) cut the deficit to three at 29-26 going into halftime.

In the second half, the Cougars would pull away down the stretch, leading by 14 with four minutes left to close off the victory. Despite a 31% shooting night, Bethel was great from the charity stripe, making 16 of 20.

First year player Scotti Moats (Fr, Waconia, Minn.) led all scorers with 16 points on 6-for-9 shooting to go along with her team-leading six rebounds. Taylor Sheley (So., Backus, Minn.) was second on the team with 14 points. Kara Norris was the Cougars' leading scorer with 13 points.

After the loss, the Royals are now 0-1 and UM-Morris improves to 1-1. Bethel now has a full week to prepare for their next game, on Wednesday, Dec. 2, against the College of Saint Benedict. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Robertson Center.