MANKATO, Minn. – The Bethany Vikings (13-4, 6-2) beat North Central University (4-10, 1-7) to finish out the first round of league play. The Vikings got off to a great start, led from beginning to end, and won by a final score of 94-78.
 
The Vikings started fast, scoring 28 points in the first quarter and jumped out to a 14 point lead. They led by as many as 21 points with two minutes remaining in the first half before the Rams finished the half with a 10-0 run. At the break, the Vikings were ahead 47-36. Abby Olson carried the Vikings in the first half with 15 points, going 3-4 from behind the arc. The Vikings shot 51.3% from the field in the first half which included 5-9 from three.
 
North Central was able to cut the Viking lead down to five points midway through the third quarter, but they would not get any closer. The Vikings took a comfortable 15 point lead into the fourth quarter and finished the game with a 94-78 win.
 
The 94 point output is the most the Vikings have scored in a game this season. As a team, they shot 49.3% from the field and went 7-13 (53.8%) from the three-point line. The Vikings made 29 trips to the free throw line and converted 19 attempts.
 
Haley Sandin led all Bethany scorers with 21 points. She also dished out six assists. Abby Olson scored 19 points with five assists. Brooke Henning had a well-rounded performance with 15 points, eight rebounds, and six assists. Dakota Ellinghuysen and Hanna Geistfeld scored 14 points and 12 points respectively.
 
Up Next: The Vikings, who are tied for second place in the UMAC after the first round of play, will host St. Scholastica on Saturday, January 20 at 5 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