Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Royals game tonight against Hamline featured two MIAC teams that are fighting for one of the last playoff spots this year. Both teams came into the game with a 7-9 conference record, with the Royals having beaten Hamline in their first matchup this year, 85-74.

However, unlike that first game, both teams struggled on offense, creating a close game that produced only half as many points as the last. Bethel led the game 20-17 going into halftime. But Hamline gained control for much of the second half until Taylor Sheley (So., Backus, Minn.) scored two of her 19 points on the night to give Bethel a 33-31 lead with six minutes left on the clock.

The Pipers responded to that by scoring eight unanswered points to regain the lead. Shana Grejtak (Jr., Franklin, Minn.) helped end that run after she drew a foul on one of her shots and completed a three point play. On the following inbound pass, Grejtak stole the ball, which led to another two points by Kristi Nye (So., Nashville, Tenn.), cutting the deficit to only one point with three minutes left in the game.

Unfortunately, the Royals were unable to ride that last surge to a victory, as Hamline pulled away in the remaining seconds to win what was another close loss for the Royals.

Bethel will continue their hunt for the playoffs this Saturday, when they play St. Olaf at the Robertson Center at 1 p.m.