ST. PETER, Minn. – A tough third quarter for the Bethel University women's basketball team was the difference in a 61-45 set back at No. 8 Gustavus Adolphus Saturday afternoon in the Royals final non-conference matchup of the year.
The host Gusties outscored the Royals 23-8 in the third after Bethel trailed by two at the break.
Bethel turned it over 27 times while forcing Gustavus into 21 turnovers. BU finished 42.9 percent from the field while the Gusties shot 43.1 percent.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• A defensive opening quarter saw the Gusties score the game's first two buckets in the opening 60 seconds. BU then didn't give up another jumper until the 3:28 mark.
• The Royals were efficient in their shot selection, going 5-of-9, and held GAC to a 20 percent mark from the floor building a 11-10 after one.
• The Royals largest lead of the half came at 19-10 with 7:47 to go as
Anna Garfield knocked down her second three as part of an 8-0 run to open the quarter.
• Bethel held GAC to a 34.6 percent clip from the floor including a 1-of-9 mark from three while shooting 50 percent themselves from the floor.
• Despite 15 turnovers the Royals, compared to the Gusties six, they went into the break down 26-24.
Second Half
• Early free throws from
Colette Duininck tied it at 26 before GAC went on a 9-0 run taking the lead for good.
• Limited to only three layups and a four-minute scoring drought, BU trailed 49-23 after three quarters.
• The Royals outscored the Gusties 13-12 in the fourth with neither team making a three but combining to go 9-of-11 from the charity stripe.
KEY PERFORMERS
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Lauren Johnson finished with a team-high 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
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Anna Garfield added 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.
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Alli Born added five steals and three blocks on the defensive end.
UP NEXT
Bethel jumps back into conference play the rest of the way opening up the 2024 calendar year at St. Scholastica on Wednesday, Jan. 3. Tip off in Duluth is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
