Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team showered its seniors well on Senior Day, as the Royals captured a dynamic 52-49 come-from-behind victory over Macalester College at home in the regular season finale.

BU (6-19, 5-17 MIAC) trailed 11-19 in the first half, despite a 16.7 shooting percentage and a 50 percent mark from the free-throw line, but Bethel vacated a 23-28 deficit in the second period to defeat the Scots (4-21, 3-19 MIAC) in MIAC competition.
 
“I was pleased with our intensity in the second half, which was evidenced by a 'never give up' attitude,” said head women's basketball coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer. “It was great to have our season end on a high note and also to see our offense come from a number of players.”
 
Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) led the Royals early with six points and three rebounds, but foul trouble forced the freshman to play limited minutes the rest of the game. Instead, Bethel relied upon Hannah Niewald (Fr., Fridley, Minn.), who had a monstrous second half—finishing the game with 14 points and nine rebounds, including a 10-of-12 shooting effort from the free throw line.

Also contributing for the Royals was Katelyn Vavra (Jr., Askov, Minn.), who ended with 13 points and three rebounds—but perhaps the biggest basket of the game at the 4:29 mark when she buried a three-pointer to give Bethel a five-point advantage.
 
Bethel's biggest advantage came in bench points Saturday afternoon, as the Royals outscored Macalester 35-0. Vavra and Niewald were both influential in this effort.
 
BU ends its season with a 6-19 record, which keeps its streak in tact of winning at least six or more since the 2002-03 season. Saturday afternoon crowned Concordia College as conference champions, but Bethel will look at the 2013-14 season with a lot of optimism.