WINONA, Minn. – The No. 5-ranked Bethel University women's basketball team suffered its first setback of the season falling to Saint Mary's on the road, 77-69.

The loss snaps Bethel's program-best 20 game winning streak and moves them to 15-1 in MIAC play. The Royals are still in control of their own destiny with a one game lead atop the MIAC standings, BU continues the tough road stretch at No. 20 St. Thomas Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Senior guard Haylee Barker continues her offensive tear with a game-high 17 points. Taite Anderson only got two looks in the first half before finishing with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Bella Williams rounded out the top scorers with 10 points and nine rebounds.

For the first time this season, Bethel never led in the 40 minute contest as the Cardinals came out of the gates scoring 15 of the game's first 16 points. Trailing by nine after the first, SMU pushed the lead back to double digits before Emma Schutlz knocked down a three sending the Royals into the locker room trailing 37-28.

The Cardinals came out even hotter from the field in the second half hitting four of their first five shots to give them their largest lead of the contest at 51-34. Bethel got within seven on multiple occasions including Tessah Anderson's jumper at the end of the third.

Barker knocked down a trey with 2:27 remaining pulling the Royals within four, but the Cardinals responded on the other end with free throws aided by a handful of empty offensive possessions by BU.

The Royals finished the night shooting a season-low 38.5 percent (25-of-65) and it was the first time this season an opponent has turned it over under 20 times.