MOUNT VERNON, Iowa—Bethel University's women's basketball team suffered a season-opening 68-77 loss on Friday night against Carthage College. This was the first of two games for BU at the Cornell Classic in Mount Vernon, Iowa.

The Royals (0-1, 0-0 MIAC) jumped out to a five-point lead half way through the first quarter but the Lady Reds (1-0, 0-0 CCIW) ended the quarter on a 21-9 run to secure the lead. Both teams dealt with foul trouble throughout the game. A total of 55 fouls were called between the two teams, 28 against the Royals and 27 against the Lady Reds. Five players fouled out between the two teams.  In the fourth quarter the Royals battled back from down 13 to bring it to a five-point game, however, Carthage was able to hold off the late-game push and get their first win of the season.

The Royals finished the contest shooting 35.1 percent overall and 27.3 percent from beyond the arc. Hannah Johnson started off her 2017-18 season strong with a double-double, pulling down 17 rebounds and scoring 23 points on 5-10 shooting. 12 of those points came from the foul line. She led both teams in points, rebounds, and blocks.

Sophomore Taite Anderson went 5-10, scoring 10 points and grabbing 7 rebounds. Senior guards Angie Kirchoff and Jasmin Bretoi both scored 8 points. Bretoi led the team in three pointers with 2.

Bethel took advantage of Carthage's mistakes, scoring 16 points off turnovers. BU had a slight advantage in second-chance points, 10-9. Carthage narrowly outscored Bethel in points in the paint 28-26. Lack of bench points proved to be the downfall of the Royals in their 2017-18 season opener. They were outscored by Carthage 26-13 in that category.

Bethel will look to finish off the Cornell Classic with a win when they face Buena Vista University Saturday, November 18 at 4 p.m.