Box Score Balanced Attack Contributes to Win for Women's Basketball
DULUTH, Minn. – On Friday night, the women's basketball team traveled to St. Scholastica to take on the Saints in the Reif Gymnasium. The Vikings used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the Saints for the second time this season. Final score: 69-64.
Bethany improves to 9-8 overall and 6-3 in the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference to stand in third place entering the game Saturday against UW-Superior. St. Scholastica drops to 6-11 overall and 4-5 in conference.
From the opening tip-off, the Vikings had their sights set on a conference victory. Bethany built a 21-12 lead through the first 10 minutes of action. In the second quarter, Bethany held a 16 point advantage over the Saints with 06:31 remaining before the Saints stormed back to cut the lead to nine points at the break, 40-31.
Reigning UMAC Player of the Week,
Minnie Frederick-Childress led all scorers at the break with 11 points. The guard also recorded five steals in the first 20 minutes of game play.
The second half was played very similar to the first half with the Vikings controlling most aspects of the contest. With just under six minutes left in regulation, Bethany was up 63-53. St. Scholastica cut the Vikings lead to one possession with just under one minute left. But the late free throw shooting from the Vikings helped withstand the Saints hopes of a comeback victory at home.
Looking at the numbers: Four Bethany Vikings scored in double-figures on Friday night to contribute to the road victory.
Minnie Frederick-Childress paved the way with 16 points, 11 steals, and five assists.
Briana Brandts recorded her ninth double-double and sixth consecutive by scoring 16 points and collecting 11 rebounds in the efforts over St. Scholastica.
Christina Wickingson and
Dakota Ellinghuysen contributed with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Bethany finished the game shooting 52.8% (28-53) from the field compared to the Saints' 43.6% (24-55). The Vikings created 16 turnovers which translated into 24 points on the offensive end. Bethany held the advantage in the paint, scoring 48 of their points down low. The biggest lead of the game was 16 in favor of the Vikings.
Defeating the Saints twice in one season is the first for the Vikings since becoming a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference.
Up Next: Looking for the fifth win in a row, the women's team will play UW-Superior Yellowjackets Saturday evening. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. tip-off.
