Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - It was a tale of two halves tonight as the Royals dropped their home opener to the College of Saint Benedict, 60-45.

Bethel came out playing inspired basketball in the first half, hustling to every loose ball and leading 24-22 at halftime. Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.), starting her first game as a Royal, was a force on the boards in the first half. She had six rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Her defense also helped hold Saint Benedict to 19 percent shooting.

"I was pretty nervous," said Werner, "but I just needed to do my role and what the coaches told me."

She was a catalyst for the Bethel offense, opening up the lanes for the guards to aggressively attack the rim. Taylor Sheley (So., Backus, Minn.) scored seven points and pulled down five rebounds of her own in the first half as the Royals moved the ball well around the perimeter.

The second half was not as kind to Bethel, as they went 16 minutes between field goals and were down 10 by the nine minute mark. The defense worked hard to keep the game close, but free throws did them in down the stretch. The Blazers made 12 of 15 free-throws in the second half, allowing them to close out the victory 60-45.

For the game, the Royals shot made just 55 percent from the free-throw line while the Blazers made 19 of their 25 from the charity stripe. Sheley led the Royals with 14 points and Werner led with nine rebounds. Amy Stifter was Saint Benedict's leading scorer with 23 points. The Blazers are now 3-1 after the win.

"We just have little thing we need to tweak," said Werner, "we're really young."

The Royals look to improve on their 0-2 record this Saturday, as they travel to Winona, Minn., to face Saint Mary's. The game begins at 1 p.m.