Box Score
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - High hopes of a first conference win were dashed late in the game as the Bethel Royals caved to another MIAC rival, St. Catherine University, 54-49.
The Royals played strong defense through the first half, yet came up short offensively as they were down 18-24 by halftime.
Kristi Nye (So., Nashville, Tenn.) boosted the Royals to 18 before the half ended with a much needed three-pointer. Nye and
Scotti Moats (Fr., Waconia, Minn.) both helped their team with two field goals each by the end of the first half.
Amy Werner (Fr., Three Lakes, Wis.),
Rachel Gilbert (Fr., Becker, Minn.), and
Danielle Ruberg (Jr., Rushford, Minn.) also gained a point each for the Royals in the first half.
A fire was set under the Royals as they started the second half, coming out of the locker room with a new spirit of aggressiveness.
Shana Grejtak (Jr., Franklin, Minn.) led the charge with an early jumper, and a few free throws later. A field goal by Werner helped the Royals tie the game at 26-26 in the 16th minute of the half.
The following four minutes played out like ping pong, going back and forth until
Taylor Sheley (So., Backus, Minn.) brought the Royals to their first lead of the game with a glorious three-pointer in the 12th minute. Unfortunately the Royals could only hold St. Kate at bay until under five minutes left.
While the Wildcats only made 10 of 27 field goals, they played hard defense and capitalized on free throws to pound the Royal's offense down. In the end, free throws were the end of the Royals as they gave up five points in the last five minutes of the game.
For the game, the Royals shot 55.0 percent from the free-throw line while the Wildcats 68.8 percent from theirs. Werner led the Royals with 10 points and eight rebounds. Laura Kalbfell was St. Catherine's leading scorer with 17 points. The Wildcats are now 2-3 with their win.
The Royals look to improve on their 0-4 MIAC record (0-5 overall) on December 19, as they are scheduled to play Simpson College at home. The game begins at 1 p.m.
