ARDEN HILLS, Minn. — After being down as many as 13 points in the first half, the Bethel University women's basketball team battled back. Taking a 43-41 lead on an
Anna Garfield layup with 49 seconds to play in the third quarter. The Royals couldn't hold the slim two point lead however, as the Blue Devils used an 18 point fourth quarter to win 62-55.
The Blue Devils grabbed a 6-2 lead early when
Elly Schmitz got fouled and knocked down both free throw attempts to cut the deficit to 6-4.
Cally Peterson drove the lane for a layup and made it a 15-7 game.
Lydia Hay knocked down a 15-foot jumper early in the second quarter to get the Royals within three.
Late in the second quarter a
Emily Erickson layup followed by a
Anna Garfield three, cut the Stout lead to 33-26 at the half.
Emily Erickson drove the lane and found the basket to bring the Royals within five early in the third. Midway through the third a Colette Duinick steal turned into a fastbreak opportunity for
Anna Garfield who layed it in to make it a one point Blue Devil lead.
With the game tied at 39,
Emily Erickson gave Bethel its first lead of the game on a driving layup in the paint.
Elly Scmitz nailed a 15-footer to take a 45-44 lead early in the fourth. Down by one
Macey Littlefield drew a foul and headed to the charity stripe for the Royals, making her first to tie it up at 48.
The Blue Devils used an 11-2 run to take a 59-50 lead with 1:34 to play however.
Emily Erickson worked her way into the paint for a layup, and
Anna Garfield drew a foul and made one free throw attempt to bring the Royals back within six.
Elly Schmitz battled down low for a layup to make it a 60-55 game, with 10 seconds to play. It wouldn't be enough however as the Blue Devils went on to win 62-55.
Up next:
The Royals now hit the road for a conference matchup with St.Olaf College on Saturday Jan. 4 in Northfield. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
