WINONA, MN – The Bethany Lutheran College women's basketball team lost their first game of the season at St. Mary's University today. The Vikings knew it would be a tough matchup as the the Cardinals were a MIAC playoff team last year and had gotten off to a 2-1 start so far this year. A 14-point halftime deficit was too much for BLC to overcome as they lost by a final score of 83-72.
 
The Vikings were led by Hanna Geistfeld with 21 points and eight rebounds. She was 8-12 from the field and 5-7 from the free throw line. Haley Sandin scored 16 points for the Vikings, going 8-12 from the free throw line.
 
The St. Mary's Cardinals jumped out to a 23-17 lead after the first quarter and would extend that lead to 14 points heading into halftime. The Cardinals stretched their lead to as many as 22 points in the 3rd quarter, but a burst from the Vikings cut the lead to just nine points with six minutes remaining in the game. BLC wouldn't have enough, however, to close the gap the rest of the way and St. Mary's won 83-72.
 
The Vikings were okay from the field as a team, shooting 24-57 for 42.1%. They struggled however from the three-point line going 4-15 (26.7%) and 20-31 (64.5%) from the free throw line. The Vikings committed 17 turnovers and the Cardinals were able to convert those into 31 points. St. Mary's also held an advantage in the paint, outscoring the Vikings 20-12.
 
Up Next: The Vikings stay close to home with an exhibition game at Minnesota State on Monday, November 26 at 6 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.