Box Score

    ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Despite a 33-31 second half advantage Bethel was unable to overcome Hamline University Saturday afternoon, as the Pipers went on to beat the Royals 59-50 at the Robertson Center Gym. BU (0-6, 0-5 MIAC) is still searching for its first win of the season after dropping two close games in its last two matchups, while Hamline (2-5, 2-3 MIAC) has won two straight—which include a win over Augsburg and now Bethel.
 
Kelly Swenson (Sr., Dawson, Minn.) nearly posted a double-double in Saturday afternoon's matinee, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds. The senior also dished out two assists, blocked two shots, and swiped three steals. Swenson, alongside freshman Rachel Parupsky (Arden Hills, Minn.)—who finished with 13 points, six boards, and five blocks—led the Royals. Parupsky has now blocked 21 shots in the last three contests and is averaging over five blocks per game.
 
Sydney Schultz (Fr., Dalton, Minn.) and Kristi Nye Studanski (Sr., Brentwood, Tenn.) also recorded eight points, as well as four and three assists, respectively.
 
Trailing 26-18 at the half, Bethel let Hamline's lead increase to 16 with 17:50 remaining in the game before going on a 12-0 run over the next three minutes that cut the Piper's lead to four. But HU increased its lead to eight from there and maintained the advantage throughout the rest of the frame.
 
Bethel's biggest advantage in the game came from the bench, as the Royals outscored the Pipers 9-6. Hamline owned the paint, however, as it outscored BU 32-22 in points in the paint and 18-7 in second chance points.
 
The Royals won't play again until December 28th and 29th, when they travel to San Antonio, Texas to play in a two-day tournament. Following its pair of games at the end of the month, Bethel will play 11 games throughout the month of January.