Box Score MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany women's basketball built a 9-point first half lead, but they weren't able to maintain it as they fell to Minn.-Morris 73-57 Friday night in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference action.

Balanced scoring gave the Vikings their early advantage. An Angie Scheffler jumper followed by a Lacey Ellinghuysen basket gave Bethany a 16-7 lead ten minutes into the contest.

The Cougars though countered with a 9-0 run to tie the game at 16. The two teams exchanged baskets as the game remained tied at 24 with three minutes left in the half. UMM's Kendra Wycoff drained back-to-back 3s as the Cougars led 31-26 at the break.

Wycoff started the second half with another 3 as their 5-point halftime lead ballooned to 14 at 40-26 a minute and a half into the second half. Their lead would grow from there on their way to their second straight conference win.

Dakota Ellinghuysen recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Briana Brandts equaled Ellinghuysen's point total with 15 and added eight rebounds. Scheffler scored ten points and grabbed six boards.

Bethany (1-12, 0-2 in UMAC) hosts Crown Saturday at 3 p.m.