MANKATO, Minn. - The Bethany Lutheran women's basketball team held a two-point lead heading into the final quarter on Wednesday before being outscored 20-7 in the final frame and losing 66-55. With the win the Falcons move to 9-2 overall while the Vikings fall to 2-7. 



This game proved from the get-go that it was going to be a highly contested matchup. The Vikings jumped out to a 13-6 lead after a three-pointer from Sara Kottke, but the Falcons would respond, by scoring nine of the next 11 points to even things up at 15. UWRF would get a layup with a minute left before Sara Kottke hit a pair of free throws with time winding down as the teams played the first 10 minutes even at 17 apiece. The second quarter saw the scoring slow down, with neither team able to hit their stride as the teams combined for just 20 points with River Falls outscoring Bethany 12-8 to lead 29-25 headed to the half.

The Vikings came out of the halftime break firing on all cylinders, as they would outscore the Falcons 23-17 thanks largely in part to 10-of-12 shooting from the free throw line and they were able to hold a two-point leading headed into the four quarter. After Taryn Christensen opened the fourth quarter with a layup UWRF would start to take over as they went on to outscore the Vikings 20-7 in the quarter to take the victory.

Kottke and Ashley Schindele each posted 12 points to pace the Viking offense while posting four and five rebounds, respectively. Taryn Christensen came off the bench and had a well-rounded performance with eight points, five rebounds, and five assists. 

Bethany is back in action on Saturday when they host Central for a 2 p.m. contest.