Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – With 2:18 left to play in the game Bethel University's women's basketball team held the one-point advantage over Saint Benedict, but an 11-0 run for CSB in the game's final minutes led to BU's demise 57-67.
 
The Royals (4-15, 3-14 MIAC) held a 29-26 advantage at the half and kept in the game throughout the second period, but over-anticipatory defense led to the game's final run for the Blazers (15-4, 13-3 MIAC), as multiple steals led to quick layups at the other end.
 
Bethel finished the game with a 42-31 rebounding advantage in Wednesday evening's MIAC battle, including 20 boards on the offensive end. The extra effort allowed BU to outscore the Blazers 13-8 in second chance points, but the Royals only converted 31 percent of its shot opportunities and were outscored 24-38 inside and 13-21 in points off turnovers.
 
Meanwhile, CSB shot 58.6 percent in the second half and finished the game 15-of-19 (78.9 percent) from the charity stripe. Brianna Barrett led Saint Ben's with 20 points, while Whitney Canton finished with her first career double-double (14 points, 10 rebounds).
 
For the Royals, Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) bucketed 22 points, boarded 11 rebounds, and blocked three shots. Meanwhile, Sydney Schultz (Fr., Dalton, Minn.) tallied 11 points—all in the first half—on 3-of-7 shooting from long range. Katelyn Vavra (Jr., Askov, Minn.) also had a stellar statline, finishing with six points, four rebounds, four steals, and three assists.
 
Bethel will return to action Saturday, as they, with the men, travel to Northfield, Minn., to take on St. Olaf College for a 1 p.m. tipoff. The first meeting between these two teams was close in the first half, as the Royals led 20-12 at the intermission. Yet a 34-14 second half in favor of the Ole's led to the Royals seventh loss in conference play. BU will be looking to spoil St. Olaf's run at the postseason, as the Oles are on the cusp of a MIAC Playoff spot—one game back of sixth place.