NORTHFIELD, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team outlasted St. Olaf College in a double-overtime thriller Wednesday night. The Royals (12-8, 8-5 MIAC) got a huge lift from sophomore Abby Miller, who hit a game-tying 3-pointer with one second remaining in regulation that sent the midweek MIAC affair into overtime. BU went on to defeat the Oles (11-9, 6-7 MIAC) by a final score of 88-85.
 
The contest was back-and-forth throughout the entire 50 minutes of play. St. Olaf led by two at the half and Bethel by one after three quarters. But a 14-1 run for the Oles in the opening four minutes of the fourth quarter gave the home team a 10-point advantage with 5:45 remaining in the frame. The Royals responded with a 17-7 in the final minutes of the period, which included five from Miller in the final 28 seconds.
 
Following Miller's game-tying 3-pointer, Bethel jumped out to a three-point lead with 3:41 left in the first overtime. A 9-2 run for the Oles, however, put St. Olaf back in front by four with 0:54 remaining. Cue the Abby Miller show. Miller buried a shot from downtown, which brought it to one, and a free throw by Kalli Zimmermann evened the score after 45 minutes of play.
 
The second overtime wasn't quite as dramatic for BU, as the Royals never trailed in the final five minutes. But a 5-of-10 effort from the free throw line in the final five minutes certainly kept things interesting.
 
Bethel's bench was the key difference maker in Wednesday's win over St. Olaf. The Royals' nonstarters outscored the Oles 47-23. Much of that was due to Abby Miller, who finished with 17 points in 33 minutes of play. Miller was 5-of-8 from downtown. Also contributing nicely off the bench was Angie Kirchoff, who recorded 11 points, three assists, and two steals, and Hannah Johnson, who finished with 10 points and five boards. Also coming off of the bench was Rachel Parupsky, who tallied nine points, six rebounds, and three blocks.
 
Kalli Zimmermann led the team with 21 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks. Zimmermann was 11-of-14 from the foul line and 5-of-11 from the floor. Sydney Schultz contributed seven points, five rebounds, and four assists.
 
Bethel continues its season on Saturday when they travel down Snelling Ave. for a 3 p.m. rumble with Macalester. The showdown with the Scots is the only meeting between these two teams this season.