MANKATO, Minn.-- The Bethany Lutheran women's basketball team (23-3 overall) won the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Tournament Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament next week. The Vikings defeated UW-Superior (18-9) 58-64 Saturday night. With the victory, BLC set the season mark in wins as it surpassed the 21 set in 2018-19.

This is the second appearance in the NCAA Tournament for the program, and is the second-straight trip.

RECAP/HIGHLIGHTS


POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE


The game was tied 41-41 heading into the fourth quarter. The contest was tied three times over the next three minutes, which included 48 all with 6:55 to play. The YellowJackets took the two-point lead on a jumpshot, but Bethany answered with a 5-0 run over the next three minutes to regain the three-point lead.
 
UWS later made it a two-point game on two free throws (57-55) with 2:28 to play. A layup from senior Emily Skrien (Nicollet, Minn.) and two free throws from junior Abby Olson (Montevideo, Minn.) gave the Vikings the six-point lead with 0:39 to go. The 'Jackets cut the margin in half as they converted a three-point play. Olson later sealed the win on her two successful free throws to push the lead to six (64-58) with four seconds to go.
 
Junior Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.) was named the Tournament MVP as she had a double double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. She became the single season leader in points and field goals on the night.
 
Classmates Olson and Jordan Martinez (Redding, Calif.) joined her in double figures with 10 and 11 points, respectively.

Click here for the story in the Mankato Free Press.

Click here for the photo gallery.
 
BLC will learn its opponent and game location during the NCAA selection show Monday at 1:30 p.m.