BOX SCORE
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - Bethel University has yet to escape the funk that has allowed the Royals to drop three straight games after the initial eight game winning streak, as Saint Mary's University defeated BU 46-42 in the Robertson Center Gym Wednesday evening. Bethel started the game with an eight game winning streak, forcing its opponents to a below average shooting percentage, while forcing a number of turnovers but tonight the opposite happened. BU allowed the Cardinals to shoot 48 percent in the first half and finished the game 40 percent from the floor.
Jessica Thone seered the Royals defense in the first half with 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists. Throne's effort was part of a 32-22 advantage for SMU in the first period as the Cardinals took a 10-7 lead in the opening six minutes and stayed in control the rest of the half. Another key component to the Royals first half slump was the number of points Bethel allowed in the paint. BU was ouscored down low 18-6 in the opening 20 minutes.
Saint Mary's extended its lead to 12 with the opening bucket of the second period, but the Royals found a way to get back into the game. Getting back to the basics, Bethel forced an absurd amount of Cardinal turnovers and outrebounded its opponents on both ends. Over the next eight minutes BU went on a 16-4 run that evened the score at 38-38 with 11:33 to play. However, SMU quickly quieted any momentum Bethel University had build with back-to-back jumpers that put the Cardinals ahead to stay 42-38.
In the second half alone the Royals created 12 turnovers, capitolizing on six points off turnovers and seven second-chance opportunities. After being outperformed 8-2 in the first frame, Bethel's bench outscored the SMU bench 10-2 in the final 20 minutes. BU's greatest strenghth in the second half was its free throw shooting, finishing the last period a perfect nine-for-nine from the charity stripe.
Two Bethel players finished with 10 points, as Kiah Dahlquist (Fr., St. Cloud, Minn.) nearly finished with her first collegiate double-double. Dahlquist recorded a strong 10-point, nine-rebound effort, along with two steals and a block. Taylor Sheley (Sr., Backus, Minn.) finished with ten points as well, her lowest total of the 2011-12 campaign, with three rebounds, three blocks, and two steals.
Head Coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer and his squad will look ahead to the next opponent as it travels to Hamline Saturday to face the hosting Pipers. Being that the Royals are on a three-game skid and have a perfect record in conference road games, BU may welcome the challenge of playing on the road. Tip-off is Saturday at 1 p.m.
