NEW ULM, Minn.  – The Bethany women's basketball team (7-2, 2-1) traveled to Martin Luther (4-7, 2-1) for a midweek UMAC game.
 
The Vikings found their offensive firepower early as they scored 27 points in the first quarter, leading the Knights by four on their home court. Bethany continued to play well offensively in the second quarter while tightening up their defense, taking a 43-33 lead into halftime.
 
Junior guard Haley Sandin had a great first-half for the Vikings with 16 points, going 4-5 from the field and 8-8 from the free-throw line. Bethany shot 45.2% from the field as a team in the first half and went 14-17 from the free-throw line. The Viking defense held Martin Luther to 31.6% from the field in the first half.
 
The Vikings started the second half quickly and stretched their lead to 19 points after three consecutive three-pointers, two from freshman guard Abby Olson and one from Haley Sandin. The Vikings held their lead in the third-quarter, heading into the final period ahead 68-49 after a three-pointer by Emily Skrien banked in before the buzzer.
 
The Knights cut into the Viking lead a bit in the fourth quarter, but not enough as Bethany took home a 79-68 win.
 
Haley Sandin scored a game-high 30 points, going 17-18 at the free throw line. Abby Olson scored 18 points for the Vikings on 7-10 shooting from the field and 2-3 from the three-point line.
 
Bethany shot 44.4% from the field as a team and went 25-29 from the free throw line. The Viking defense held MLC to 34.2% from the field.
 
 
Up Next: The Vikings are back at home on Saturday, December 16 when they host Northland College in UMAC play at 4 PM.

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MEDIA: If you need further information, please feel free to contact Dan DeWitt at 507-344-7856 or email ddewitt@blc.edu