Box Score

ST. PETER, Minn. - It's been a long time coming, but the day when the Bethel University women's basketball program can claim a MIAC postseason victory is finally here thanks to a 75-59 win over the hosting Gustavus Adolphus Gusties.

The Royals led 37-33 at the half, thanks to 10 points from starting guard Autumn Beasley (Fr., Medina, Minn.) and eight points from both Taylor Sheley (Fr., Backus, Minn.) and Kiersten Hansen (Jr., Eden Prairie, Minn.). In the second half, Bethel intensified its defense and crashed the boards harder, outscoring Gustavus 38-26. Five Royals went on to finish with 10 or more points, led by Beasley with 21.

There are few people happier with the win than Head Coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer. "I'm on cloud nine right now," said Herbrechtsmeyer of the win. "I'm just so pleased with the way our women competed tonight. I had been telling them all season what I thought they were capable of, and tonight, they showed it."

Although he claims Gustavus Adolphus as his alma mater educationally, as a coach, the school has also been a nemesis. Before tonight, he had never coached a Bethel team that had been able to defeat Gustavus. In fact, the last time the Royals defeated the Gusties was in the latter part of the 2001 season. While there have been some close games over the years, including the 57-56 heartbreaker at home earlier this season, this one was special because this one counted at the right time.

"They're a very good ball team, and [Head Coach] Mickey [Haller] has done a great job with her program, but tonight, we sent a message," added Herbrechtsmeyer. "I honestly believe we can compete with anyone in this conference, and if we play like we did tonight, the sky is the limit."

Sheley scored 14, while Hansen finished with 10 off the bench. "We're playing well at the right time," said Sheley. "We've been playing with a lot of confidence - and that's been the most important thing because as the #5 seed, we can't let ourselves get intimidated by teams that beat us earlier in the year when we were still coming together."

Shana Grejtak (So., Franklin, Minn.) scored 11 points, had two blocks, an assist, six rebounds, and most importantly, seven steals. The Royals forced 28 Gustie turnovers, of which, 14 were steals.

Annegret Nautsch (Sr., Everett, Wash.) surpassed the 1,000 rebound mark of her career with 10 boards. Coupled with her 10 points, the starting center earned her 13th double-double of the season. The nation's leading shot blocker also thwarted three Gustie shots, giving her 117 on the season.

Emily Nelson led the Gusties with 17 points, while Brianna Radtke finished with 10.

Bethel made 47 percent of its shots from the field and nearly 78 percent of its shots from the free throw line in the victory.

The win gives Bethel an overall record of 15-11 and helps them advance to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs. The Royals are now scheduled to head up to St. Joseph to take on the #1 seeded Saint Benedict Blazers at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday night for their next game.