Box Score

MOORHEAD, Minn.—It was a tale of two halves for the Bethel University's women's basketball squad Wednesday night, as the Royals (12-5, 10-4 MIAC) built a 10-point lead late in the first half, but a 58-26 margin for Concordia in the second half gave the Cobbers (14-3, 12-2 MIAC) more than enough to top BU at Memorial Auditorium in Moorhead.
 
The Royals built a 9-0 lead to start the ball game and, despite a minor Cobber run, withstood a 10-point lead with 1:50 left in the opening period. Bethel shot 48 percent from the floor and made 7-of-10 attempts from the charity stripe, but it wouldn't last. Concordia's 58 second-half points nearly outscored the Royals total score, as the Cobbers went on two 12-0 runs and another 10-run in the second frame. Early in the second, Concordia got on a 27-6 run that allowed the Cobbers to surge ahead for the 84-59 victory.
 
Bethel finished the road affair shooting 36.7 percent from the floor and just 20 percent from downtown. The Royals continued to struggle underneath—missing a number of bunnies throughout the competition. BU was held to a low rebounding total of 24 boards, while coughing up 17 turnovers. As a team, Bethel rattled off 38 points in the paint and 19 points off turnovers, while also acquiring 19 points from the bench.
 
Hannah Niewald paced the Royals with a season-high 18 points, including 13 in the first half. Niewald was 7-of-13 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line, while also grabbing a trio of rebounds. Kalli Zimmermann contributed 10 points and four rebounds with two steals and two blocks, while Shanni Moorse came off the bench to add nine points.
 
Three Cobbers scored in double figures and seven with eight or more points. Greta Walsh led the team with 18 points.
 
The Royals return to action this Saturday, with a tough test against the College of St. Benedict at 3 p.m. Bethel, who has dropped four of their last five games on the road, is looking to acquire some confidence away from the Robertson Gym with a challenge against the Blazers in St. Joseph, Minn.