ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team celebrated a very special senior day prior to Saturday's regular season finale against St. Catherine University and despite a tightly-contested matchup, the Royals (21-4, 16-2 MIAC) were able to celebrate the day in style with a 61-55 victory over the playoff-bound Wildcats (15-10, 9-9 MIAC).
 
The matinee started with an exceptional display of sportsmanship. BU started three-time All-MIAC recipient Kalli Zimmermann, who went down with a season-ending injury earlier this year, and immediately ran out of bounds after receiving the opening tipoff so that Zimmermann could be subbed in for. Rather than taking the ball the other way, SCU inbounded the ball to the Royals as a sign of respect for Zimmermann and Bethel's efforts to send her and fellow senior Shanni Moorse off with a standing ovation.
 
 
Once the celebratory moment finished fans were captivated by what turned into a sit-at-the-edge-of-your-seat contest between two postseason teams. The Royals jumped out in front 17-10 in the opening quarter, but St. Kate's responded with a 21-16 effort in the second. BU then outscored SCU 15-13 in the third, which resulted in a 48-44 scoreboard with 10 minutes to play.
 
Bethel stretched it to five with 8:06 remaining and 30 seconds later Abby Miller hit the clutch shot from outside the arc in the corner to give the Royals an eight-point cushion with 7:37 left on the clock. St. Catherine clawed their way back, however, and evened the score at 55-55 with 51 seconds, but Taite Anderson was able to hit a go-ahead bucket falling away. Then after a missed SCU 3-pointer on the other end Miller iced the game with four consecutive free throws.
 
The Royals had four players score in double figures, including Hannah Johnson, Taite Anderson, Angie Kirchoff, and Abby Miller. Johnson continued her terror under the rim, as the sophomore notched her 10th double-double of the season and her seventh in the last nine games with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and three blocks.
 
Taite Anderson just missed a double-double with 12 points, nine boards, three assists, and two steals in 32 minutes of play. Angie Kirchoff finished 4-of-8 from the floor for 11 points, while also dishing out four assists and grabbing two rebounds. Abby Miller added 10 points and three steals.
 
Bethel shot 41.1 percent from the floor, but where they really saved themselves was at the foul line. The Royals finished 12-of-14 from the charity stripe, while the Wildcats were 9-of-14.
 
BU will now take on Augsburg College, who earned the No. 6 seed in the MIAC Playoffs with Saturday's win over St. Olaf. The Royals and Auggies will face off in Wednesday's quarterfinal in the Robertson Center Gym at 7 p.m. Because it is a postseason game, fans are reminded that adult tickets are $7 and student tickets are $3. Students with a Bethel ID will get into the game for $1.