BOX SCORE
BLAINE, Minn. – Bethel University celebrated “Senior Day” at the Robertson Center Gym Saturday, as the Royals played host to Hamline University in a 1 p.m. matinee. After stealing a 60-58 victory the last time the two squads squared away, BU didn't care to cut it as close today when defeating the Pipers 67-53.
The Royals took advantage of its best shooting percentage in one half for the season, as BU finished the first period shooting 58 percent from the floor.
Kiah Dahlquist (Sr., St. Cloud, Minn.) opened the game with the team's first six points on the way to a 12-5 lead throughout the opening six minutes. BU then stretched the lead to 19-10 over the next five minutes, before going on a 24-12 run to end the half.
As BU went into the locker room with a 43-22 lead after the first frame, Bethel welcomed 15 first half points by the team's only senior
Taylor Sheley (Sr., Backus, Minn.). Sheley also grabbed six boards and dished four assists, while
Alicia Montbriand (Jr., Alexandria, Minn.) shot 2-for-2 from beyond the arc for eight points in the period. Much like Wednesday's victory over Saint Bendict, the Royals also exposed the Pipers on the glass, outrebounding Hamline 22-10 in the first period.
Entering the second half Bethel failed to put the game away as Hamline clawed its way back into the ball game for the opening 15 minutes of the frame. Leading 43-24, the Pipers rattled off a 29-16 run that narrowed the 19-point margin to six with five minutes to play, however, nothing was going to stop the celebration for Sheley today as the Royals ended the contest on a 8-0 run.
The 67-53 victory showcased Sheley, who finished the game with a 23-point, 10-rebound double-double.
Kiah Dahlquist also played an exceptional role today with 14 points and six rebounds.
The Royals outscored the Pipers 34-16 in points in the paint and took advantage of a 38-21 rebounding advantage by scoring 10 extra chance buckets. Of Bethel's 38 rebounds came 11 offensive boards, which gives BU 26 offensive rebounds in its past two games.
The Royals will face St. Thomas on the road next Wednesday, February 15 in a sizeable MIAC affair. The Tommies, at 20-0 in conference play, have stepped further into the lime light by attracting a national rank – all the more reason for Bethel to capture a road victory.
