Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Royals took the hardwood for the first time in the 2012-13 season at the Robertson Center Gym Wednesday night, but were unable to pull off a come-from-behind victory in a 54-66 loss to Gustavus Adolphus College. The Royals (0-5, 0-4 MIAC) are still looking for its first win of the season, while the Gusties (5-2, 4-0 MIAC) still remain undefeated in MIAC play.
 
Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) had an incredible night for BU, as she was not only flawless from the floor, but she recorded a career-high blocks. Parupsky finished with 20 points on 8-of-8 shooting, denied 11 shots, hauled down six boards, and dished out four assists. The freshman center is now averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 blocks per game.
 
Parupsky and the Royals trailed early in the game and went into the locker room down 31-21 at the mid-way point. Yet Bethel trimmed the Gusties' lead to four and six points a number of times and the second half, before GAC finished the competition with the 66-54 advantage.
 
Bethel shot 58.3 percent in the second half, hitting 14-of-24 shot attempts from the floor. Meanwhile, the Royals held Gustavus to 33.3 shooting in the same period, however, the Gusties made up its points at the free throw line—cashing in on 20-of-24 opportunities.
 
“I believe our team showcased a great deal of tenacity tonight and played quite well,” noted head women's basketball coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer. “Our increased effort in the second half was a big reason we were able to hang tough in tonight's matchup.”
 
It was a block party for the Royals overall, as Parupsky's 11 blocks contributed to the team's 16 compared to GAC's three. BU also played exceptionally unselfishly, dishing out 19 assists in the ball game—led by Sydney Schultz (Fr., Dalton, Minn.), who had seven.
 
Bethel will look to capture its first win Saturday, as they play a rescheduled game against Hamline University at the Robertson Center Gym. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. with live webcast available here.