ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team recorded their 20th win of the regular season in Saturday's 84-77 victory over Carleton College. The triumph over the Knights gives the Royals its first 20-win season after completing the regular 25-game stretch since 1995-96—a 20-year span.
When looking at the half scores (42-38, 42-39), many would think it was a very consistent game, but they could not be more wrong. In fact Bethel trailed 13-9 in the opening 4:14 of play, but a 13-0 run over the next five minutes helped the Royals build a 26-13 advantage with 10:56 left in the initial frame. BU kept a 14-point margin until there was 5:20 remaining in the half, when at that point the Knights went on a 14-2 stretch that diminished Bethel's lead to two points with 0:52 left.
Then coming out of the halftime intermission, Carleton took the lead after 1:26 of play and still held a one-point advantage with 10:34 left in the game.
Sydney Schultz hit a clutch 3-pointer, however, which put the Royals ahead 61-59 and from then on out BU managed the tempo and the lead for the final 10 minutes.
Second chance points were what truly separated the two opponents. The Royals size and determination down low created a 44-28 difference in rebounds and as a result, a 24-6 advantage in second-chance points. BU also outscored Carleton 38-34 in the paint.
Bethel finished the contest shooting 44 percent from the floor with
Rachel Parupsky and
Sydney Schultz leading the way, but for the second straight contest BU had five players in double digits. Parupsky finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, and four blocks, while Schultz poured in 15, dished out five assists, and boarded four shots. For Parupsky it was her ninth double-double of the season.
In addition to Parupsky and Schultz,
Hannah Niewald,
Shanni Moorse, and
Kalli Zimmermann each scored 10 points. Niewald also grabbed five rebounds and tallied four assists, while Zimmermann ripped down seven boards, assisted three baskets, and picked three steals.
Carleton's Skylar Tsutsui tied Parupsky's game-high with 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting, while Gabbi Stienstra added 17.
Bethel had already secured the No. 2 seed heading into today's game so they will have to await Tuesday night's MIAC quarterfinal matchup in order to know who their opponent is on Thursday in the semifinal contest.
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