ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – The Bethel University women's basketball team dropped its MIAC opener to Gustavus Adolphus, 53-42, inside the Robertson Center Saturday afternoon.
 
Off the bench, Autum Earney led all BU scorers with 12 points. Makenna Pearson and Emma Schultz each finished with nine points. Pearson added a team-high six rebounds.
 
Both teams had their offensive struggles in the first half as neither team held a lead larger than six. The Royals overcame a five-plus minute scoring drought scoring five points in the final nine seconds of the first quarter to lead 13-7.
 
The Gusties captured their first lead of the game at the 3:32 mark with a 3-pointer from Anna Sanders, who finished with a game-high 13 points for the opposition. A well-executed play for BU set up Megan Boegel to knock down a jumper in the lane giving the Royals a 22-21 advantage at the half.
 
Bethel saw its offensive struggles come to life in the third where its first bucket didn't come until the 4:40 mark on a second chance layup for Emma Schultz.
 
Gustavus' defense held the Royals to three field goals in the fourth quarter while BU went 6-for-7 at the charity stripe. BU shot a mere 30 percent in the second half while GAC went 54.5 percent from the field.
 
Bethel looks to bounce back on Tuesday hosting Augsburg at 7 p.m.