MORRIS, Minn. — On a record-setting night for senior Hanna Geistfeld (Truman, Minn.), Bethany Lutheran (10-6 overall, 5-0 UMAC) used a dominant third quarter to defeat Minnesota Morris (5-10, 3-1), 73-60. With the victory, BLC is off to the best start in UMAC play in program history at 5-0.
Geistfeld made program history from the opening tip, as she surpassed Haley Sandin (2015-19) for most career games played (109). Later, Geistfeld set the record for career points scored, also previously held by Sandin, with a jumper from the free throw line early in the third quarter. That basket brought her to 17 points on the night, and it marked the 1,953rd point of her storied career.
With just 5.8 seconds remaining in the game, Geistfeld also broke her own single-game record for points scored with 38. She added 19 rebounds on the night to tally her 11th double double of the season.
The Vikings got off to a hot start offensively, as they led 23-20 at the first quarter break, as freshman Alexis Cloyd (Garden City, Minn.) made three triples in the opening frame.
The Cougars took a 36-33 lead into halftime following a disjointed second quarter. Geistfeld had 13 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting to go along with eight rebounds at the half.
BLC outscored the Cougars 27-13 in the third quarter and did not look back.
The Vikings were then able to chew clock in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Cloyd joined Geistfeld in double digits with 14 points, including 4-6 from deep, as she also grabbed eight rebounds in the contest.
Sophomore Sara Kottke (Buffalo Lake, Minn.) contributed nine points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Bethany shot 26-51 (51.0%) overall and 8-17 (47.1%) from three in the contest, besting Morris in every shooting category on the night.
Defensively, BLC held UMM to 8-32 (25.0%) from the field in the second half, including 0-5 from outside the arc.
The Vikings also held advantages in rebounds (48-25) and assists (18-11).
BLC is back in action Saturday afternoon against Crown College in Saint Bonifacius, Minn. at 3 p.m.
