ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – Bethel University women's basketball team saw itself on the wrong end of a heartbreaking 81-78 decision at Saint Benedict Thursday evening.

Saint Benedict's Sidney Schiffler knocked in the game-winning 3-pointer with 11 seconds remaining. Michaela Craigan came up with a steal in the final seconds to give Bethel one last opportunity in the final seconds. Out of a timeout, the Royals set up an inbound play for Makenna Pearson who had the hot hand on the night. BU was able to inbound it to Pearson but her three ball fell short as time expired.

The loss drops the Royals to 14-6 overall and 8-5 in MIAC play. BU looks to bounce back on Saturday as they travel to St. Catherine's. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m.

Pearson poured in a career-high 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field. Hannah Johnson recorded her third double-double in four games with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Taite Anderson added 12 points and six rebounds while Haylee Barker scored 11 points to go along with eight assists. In her first collegiate start, Elizabeth Schwarz scored eight points and grabbed four rebounds.

The Royals jumped to an early 7-2 lead thanks to one of Pearson's four 3-pointers on the night. CSB kept within reach before taking its first lead of the game at 15-14 with 2:01 left in the first. Bethel took a two point lead into the second quarter and extended it to its largest lead of the game at 30-20 following a layup by Johnson. CSB sliced the double digit lead and sent the teams into the intermission even at 35 all.

Both teams came out of the locker room hot from the field shooting well over 50 percent. The 10 minute stretch saw five ties and 13 lead changes as the Blazers narrowly outscored the Royals by a 24-23 margin.

The Royals took back the lead in the fourth as Johnson connected on a 3-point play to make it 64-62 with 7:59 remaining. The lead did not last long as the teams continued to trade baskets. Back and forth they went before Taite Anderson's layup with 49 seconds left gave the game its eighth tie. The Royals were not as fortunate in the closing seconds as Schiffler's 3-pointer snapped the Royals three-game winning streak.