BOX SCORE
ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – After going into the locker room at a 23-23 standstill versus St. Catherine University, the Bethel University women's basketball team left no doubt in the second period when outscoring the visiting wildcats 55-27, ending the game victoriously 78-57. The Royals delivered an exceptional game plan in the second frame that found a number of shots wide open. Because of the open shots, BU was able to capitalize on nearly 50 percent of its second-half shot opportunities.
Bethel controlled the pace throughout the majority of the first half, however, never truly put the Wildcats out of its sights. Instead the highest point margin the Royals were able to manufacture was a seven-point separation, yet it did not last long as St. Catherine used a 6-0 run to bring the score to 15-14 with 8:29 to play. BU increased its lead to five, but squandered its lead and control when giving up a 7-0 run with 2:30 to play that put the Wildcats ahead 21-19. The first period ended on a layup by Sarina Baker, who finished the half with 13 points and nine rebounds, evening the score at 23 each.
The Royals finished the period with a shooting percentage of just under 24 percent. Adding to its misery, BU was outscored 16-12 in points in the paint and 6-0 in fast-break buckets.
Kiah Dahlquist (Fr., St. Cloud, Minn.) led Bethel in the first with five points and two rebounds.
Head Coach
Jon Herbrechtsmeyer and his staff had seen enough and motivated their players to come out in the second half with a renewed mind and stronger execution. The Royals responded by opening the half on a 32-9 run in the first 10 minutes of the frame. BU found its success from its suffocating full-court defense and higher percentage shots on offense. The Royals stretched its lead to 28 with 3:11 to play and maintained its lead the remainder of the game, winning 78-50.
Sophomore Katelyn Thomsen (So., Askov, Minn.) finished the second period going four-for-four from beyond the arc for 12 points to go along with two boards. Thomsen was a major contributor to the 47.6 percent effort the Royals shot from the floor, as well as the 25-8 advantage in bench points.
Thomsen also finished as the team's leading scorer, as her career-high 15-point game almost matched her season total from the 2010-11 season. Thomsen also grabbed five rebounds and carded two steals throughout the competition. The sophomore was aided by
Kiah Dahlquist (Fr., St. Cloud, Minn.), who eyed a double-double with 12 points and seven rebounds.
Taylor Sheley (Sr., Backus, Minn.) and
Kelly Swenson (Jr., Dawson, Minn.) each earned 10 points in Wednesday night's contest.
Bethel finished the game outscoring the Wildcats in all categories, however, the one that may sting the most for SCU is the 38-7 advantage the Royals had on points scored off turnovers. Much of this total can be attributed to BU's stifling defense and full-court press. The Royals also created 30 Wildcat turnovers, opposed to just 10 Bethel flaws.
BU, quickly becoming a second-half sensation, will prepare for a very difficult Gustavus squad. The Royals play the first of the two-game double-header Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Robertson Center Gym.
