ST. PAUL, Minn. – With 13 seconds remaining and the Bethel University women's basketball team leading by three, sophomore guard
Tessah Anderson picked up the game-saving steal on an inbound play before going to the line and knocking down one of two free throws to defeat Hamline on the road, 79-75.
The defense held strong in the final 11 seconds forcing Hamline to come up empty on a 3-point try keeping the Royals perfect on the season at 17-0 and 12-0 in MIAC play. Bethel opens up a three-game homestand Wednesday against St. Catherine inside the Robertson Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Senior forward
Taite Anderson tallied her first career 30-point effort in a 31 point and 12 rebound double-double performance. Off the bench,
Elizabeth Schwarz added 12 points thanks to a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line while Kat Brown-Eardal finished with 10 points.
Bella Williams finished with five steals and five assists.
For just the second time this year, Bethel went into the locker room trailing after Hamline beat the buzzer with its sixth three of the first half for a 39-38 advantage. The Royals limited Hamline's second chance opportunities in the third quarter where
Taite Anderson's layup at the 5:49 mark tied it up at 40-40.
BU went on a 5-0 run from there gaining the lead for the remainder of the contest. The Pipers didn't go down without a fight pulling within three on multiple occasions in the fourth.
Michaela Craigan knocked down the biggest shot of the game sinking her only 3-pointer with 1:13 remaining pushing the lead to two possessions.
After Hamline sank two free throws pulling within three,
Tessah Anderson picked up a steal before a bass pass on the sideline turned it over. Anderson redeemed herself seconds later tipping the Pipers inbound pass out of a timeout and coming away with the steal that then put her at the charity stripe where she put the nail in the coffin.
