MILWAUKEE - Despite only trailing by two points at the half, Bethel University's women's basketball program suffered a 57-43 defeat at the hands of Wisconsin-Lutheran in its opening game of the Dunn's Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament. The Royals will go on to face Nebraska-Wesleyan tomorrow in the third place game at 1 p.m.

BU trailed from the get-go as the Warriors jumped out of the gates to claim a 17-9 lead at the 12:23-mark. Bethel began clawing away at the Wisconsin-Lutheran lead towards the end of the half as Katelyn Thomsen and Alicia Montbriand each tallied five points late to bring the Royals within two, trailing 24-26 at the half.

Bethel quickly lost its close proximity to the Warriors in the second period when Wisconsin-Lutheran stretched its lead to 14, leading 38-24 at the 16-minute-mark. The Royals narrowed the gap to within six points with 9:35 to play, however, the Warriors increased its lead to 13 points as quick as it let BU get to within six points. Wisconsin-Lutheran maintained its lead the rest of the way and came away victorious in the end 57-43.

Taylor Sheley led all Royals Friday night with 12 points, three steals, one assist, and one block. Kristi Nye and Alicia Montbriand each contributed nine points as well, as Nye was four-for-six shooting from the floor, along with Montbriand, who made 50 percent of her field goals. As a team, BU finished the night with a 32.6 field-goal percentage, including a 42 percent 3-point percentage. Bethel's defense kept the Warriors ice cold from the outside as Wisconsin-Lutheran made just 1-of-11 shots from downtown.

The Royals will play in the 1 p.m. game tomorrow, which will determine the 3rd place recipient of the Dunn's Sporting Goods Tip-Off Tournament.