Box Score

WINONA, Minn. - The Bethel Royals women's basketball team will have to wait another game to earn their first victory of the still early season. Taylor Sheley's (So., Backus, Minn.) 15 points were not enough as the Royals fell victim to a late three-pointer on the road today, falling 58-55 to the Saint Mary's Cardinals.

The Royals came out strong in the first half and used a 9-4 run to close out the half and take a 26-25 lead into the break. Sheley made her presence known as she scored 11 of her 15 in the first half. Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.) had a strong half as well as she added six points of her own while grabbing three rebounds. The second half went back and forth as the two teams traded baskets. With the game tied at 55, Jessica Thone put the Cardinals up for good as she drained a three-pointer with 18 seconds left in regulation.

Neither team shot particularly well from the free-throw line, with the Cardinals shooting just 59 percent, and the Royals shooting an uncharacteristically low 53 percent. The Royals shot a combined 42 percent from the field, but were 0-7 from beyond the arc. However, the Royals played sound defense as they held the Cardinals to just 43 percent shooting, forced 16 turnovers, and won the rebounding margin 41-32. Shana Grejtak (Jr., Franklin, Minn.) pulled down 11 of those rebounds while adding eight points.

The young Royals squad looks to improve on their early 0-3 record as they head down the road to St. Paul, Minn., for a visit with the Macalester Scots, this coming Monday, for a 7:30 p.m. start.