Box Score Box Score

NORTHFIELD, Minn.—After a series of closes games and a couple of wins, Bethel's women's hoops fell backwards Saturday in Northfield—falling 72-55 to St. Olaf. The Royals (4-16, 3-14 MIAC) allowed the Oles (11-9, 9-8 MIAC) to jump out to a 41-27 lead at the half and a field goal percentage of 41.5 throughout the entire 40 minutes, which was too difficult to overcome down the stretch.
 
Both offenses were clicking throughout the first 12 minutes of the game, as St. Olaf held the narrow advantage 29-27 at the 8:10 mark. Yet, the Oles rattled off a 12-0 run to close the half behind a pair of 3-pointers and several layups, which lengthened the gap to 14 at the half. The Royals brought it back to nine early in the second half, but that was the closest St. Olaf would allow—finishing the game 43.8 percent (7-for-18) from the perimeter and 91.7 percent (11-for-12) from the foul line.
 
Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) and Sydney Schultz (Fr., Dalton, Minn.) continued their success—each scoring 12 points in 36 and 30 minutes, respectively. Parupsky added eight rebounds and six blocks to her stat line, while Schultz two rebounds, two steals, and an assist. Also adding to the mix for Bethel was Katelyn Vavra (Jr., Askov, Minn.), who finished 3-of-9 from the floor for nine points.
 
The Royals competition won't let up down the stretch, as BU prepares for St. Thomas Monday night, followed by a road trip to St. Catherine Wednesday. Interestingly, the Royals have recorded a win before and after two losses in its last nine games. So if the streak continues, Bethel may pull off quite the upset Monday.