ST. JOSEPH, Minn. – For the second straight game, the Bethel University women's basketball team found themselves in a one possession game in the final minute. Once again, BU came out on top with late free throws as
Anna Garfield knocked down a pair with five seconds left helping the Royals defeat Saint Benedict 68-64.
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Garfield closed out her career-high 22-point performance scoring eight of the Royals' final 10 points. Through the final 28 seconds she as 5-of-6 from the free throw line.
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A strong shooting performance in the fourth quarter led Bethel to a 43.9 percent shooting mark while the Saint Benedict (9-4, 6-4 MIAC) finished 39 percent from the field. The Royals dominated on the boards by a 43-30 margin. Their 12 offensive rebounds turned into 15 points.
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HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• A back and forth first quarter saw six lead changes and two ties. Bethel led for 1:51 of that opening 10 minutes.
• Neither team had a run bigger than five and a lead no larger than four as Saint Ben's led 16-12.
• A 7-0 run for the Bennies with under five to go put them in front 30-22, but Bethel responded right back with an 8-0 run tyin git at 30-30.
• Saint Ben's took a one-point lead into the break hitting one of two free throws with 20 seconds left.
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Second Half
• Both teams struggled from 3-point range in the third but also took care of the ball with only three turnovers each.
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Courtney Nuest scored on the Royals opening position until Saint Ben's took the lead right back on its next possession.
• The Royals finally took the lead for good as
Lydia Hagstrom knocked down a jumper in the lane to close the third, 45-43.
• Bethel led by as much as nine early in the fourth but the Bennies rolled back cutting it with in three late.
• Doing its work late from the free throw line, Bethel finished 8-of-11 in the fourth.
• After Garfield missed the second of two free throws with 19 seconds left, Bethel got the stop they needed as the Bennies turned it over on a bad pass in what was a one possession game.Â
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KEY PERFORMERS
• Garfield finished the night 5-of-9 from the charity stripe and added seven rebounds.
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Courtney Nuest finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
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Kendal Cox finished with 10 points, five rebounds and a team-high three assists.
• Off the bench
Lydia Hagstrom reeled in 10 rebounds and added eight points.
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UP NEXT
Now 9-5 on the year and leading the MIAC with a 9-2 mark, the Royals hit the middle of a three-game road stretch at St. Scholastica Wednesday, Jan. 18 with a 7 p.m. tip off.
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