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2014 WBB Team
Andy Kenutis

Women's Basketball Jared Johnson, Sports Information Director

Playoff Preview: 10 Things to Know About Tonight's Contest

Live stats | Live webcast | MIAC Playoffs homepage
 
St. Olaf Roster | St. Olaf Schedule | St. Olaf Statistics
 
Tickets and theme tonight
Because tonight is an MIAC event, all fans will be charged the predetermined ticket prices set by the league. Ticket prices for MIAC events are as follows: $7 for adults, $3 for students. The first 100 Bethel University students will get into tonight's game free. All Bethel fans are encouraged to participate in tonight's "navy blue out" by wearing anything navy blue to the game. 
 
Scouting the Royals
Bethel finished fourth in the conference standings after completing its regular season with a 19-6 record overall and a 17-5 mark in conference play. The Royals, who won 11 of their first 13 games, were victorious in their final five contests—including three wins on the road.
 
Scouting the Oles
St. Olaf enters tonight's competition as the No. 5 seed in the 2014 MIAC Playoffs after completing its regular season with a 14-11 record overall and a 12-10 mark in conference play. The Oles dropped their last two games of the season and six of their final nine games. All six of those contests were on the road.
 
Record-setting season
The last time the Royals scored 17 MIAC victories in a season was in 1995-96, when they finished second in the league. Moreover, 17 victories in loop play are the most Bethel has ever tallied, however, 17-5 is not the best conference winning percentage for BU (17-3 in 1995-96 and 1993-94).
 
Stamping their mark in history
BU's 17 victories in league play are 12 more than a season ago, which is believed to be an NCAA record for biggest turnaround in a conference season. Two other teams in the nation have had a larger turnaround overall, but have only had an 11-game turnaround in league play from one year to the next. Bethel's turnaround this season is the most by any team this season.
 
Playoff poise
Tonight's contest will be Bethel's third playoff appearance in the last four years, something the Royals have done just one other time since the mid 1990's (2009, 2011, 2012). In the last four trips to the postseason, Bethel is 1-4, however, their four losses are by a combined 24 points. Bethel and St. Olaf have never met in the postseason.
 
Settling the score
These two squads have faced off two times this season, with each team snagging a victory on their home court. Tonight's feature will act as the winner takes all matchup, as the victorious team likely awaits a trip to Winona, Minn., to take on the No. 1 seed, Saint Mary's University.
 
Make it 'Rane' for St. Olaf
Elise Raney has significantly stepped up for the Oles in the last couple weeks. Against Bethel last Saturday, Raney scored a game-high 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and swatted eight blocks. Her near triple-double completed a week, where she averaged 20.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 6.5 blocks per game.
 
Post presence
There's no question that Bethel's opponents have to be aware of BU's presence in the paint, as the Royals post the top 4-5 combo in the league. Sophomore Rachel Parupsky and Freshman Kalli Zimmermann are ranked No. 3 and 5 in the MIAC for scoring, respectively, and are currently No. 5 and 10 in rebounding. Together they, along with Lindy Parker, and the Royals squad also lead the league in blocks.
 
Charitable giving
Much of Bethel's success this season has been determined upon both how often they can get to the free throw line and how effective they can be while shooting free shots. The Royals lead the league in shots taken and made from the charity stripe and boast a 70.6 shooting percentage from the foul line.
 
 
 
 
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