Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—A strong first half for the Royals wasn't enough Monday night, as the Bethel University's women's basketball squad fell to St. Thomas at home 77-49. The Royals (4-17, 3-15 MIAC) trailed the Tommies (16-5, 14-4 MIAC) 31-34 at the intermission break—shooting 40 percent from the floor and 85.71 percent (12-of-14) from the foul line—but allowed UST to go on a 43-18 second half splurge that sunk any chance BU had in the MIAC competition.
 
Bethel got 31 first-half points with 8-of-20 shooting, including 3-of-6 from beyond the perimeter. Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.) led the way with 14 points and five rebounds in the opening 20 minutes, while Hannah Niewald (Fr., Fridley, Minn.) added six points off the bench in nine minutes of play.
 
The Royals kept it close for the first three minutes of the second half, but missed shot opportunities and stellar shooting from the Tommies quickly increased UST's margin. St. Thomas used a balanced attack with three players in double figures and five players over seven points to close out the game victoriously.
 
Parupsky finished the game 17 points and seven rebounds, but tallied four blocks. Hannah Niewald also finished the game in double figures with 10 points. Included in the mix were Katelyn Vavra (Jr., Askov, Minn.) with six points (2-of-5) as well as Kelly Swenson (Sr., Dawson, Minn.) and Kristi Nye Studanski (Sr., Brentwood, Tenn.) with five.
 
Bethel returns to action Wednesday when they travel to St. Paul to face St. Catherine for another conference matchup that is scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. The Royals defeated the Wildcats in the first matchup and look to capture another league contest. Click here for all game information.