MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Bethany Lutheran women's basketball team played four strong quarters of basketball on Saturday afternoon to defeat North Central 65-63. With the win the Vikings improve to 6-17 overall and 6-6 in the UMAC while the Rams fall to 10-13 overall and 6-6 in the conference.

After an up and down game last night that saw an up-tempo pace, things slowed down a bit Saturday with the Rams tending to roll out more post heavy lineups.

The game got off to an especially slow start as neither team connected on a field goal in the first three and a half minutes of the contest. As a team the Vikings continued to struggle from the field, but Gianna Klarenbeek pulled them out of the rut as she scored their first 11 points and helped them to an 11-8 lead seven minutes into the first. Lexiss Trygg would then take over where Klarenbeek left over, scoring the final six Bethany points of the first quarter as they led 17-12 after 10 minutes.

As a whole the Vikings continued to struggle offensively into the second quarter as they trailed 27-20 five minutes into the frame with only the aforementioned duo finding the bottom of the net. It wasn't until 4:25 remained in the second that a third Viking found the scorebook, as JJuliana Ewald connected on three pointers on back-to-back possessions to end a dry spell for the Vikings and cut the lead to one.

Ewald would once again score for the Vikings just over a minute later on a finish in the paint before two more buckets from Bethany late would propel them to a 32-29 halftime advantage.

After the third quarter got off to another slow start for the Vikings with NCU retaking a lead, Klarenbeek would kickstart the offense by connecting on a three pointer at the 7:24 mark to go up 35-33. Bethany would start to get contributions from all over the remainder of the quarter but neither team could push the needle as the Vikings held a 49-48 lead headed to the fourth.

The final quarter was a back and forth affair from the jump with both teams going bucket for bucket in the early going. After the teams would alternate baskets for the first five minutes, a defensive stop for the Vikings followed by a Kaylee Hunter turnaround jumper in the paint but them ahead by five.

Over the next three minutes the Rams would cut into the deficit, eventually tying the game at 61 points apiece before Aubrea Kor put her stamp on the game with a huge three pointer with 1:30 to play on the left wing.

North Central would get an and-one on their next possession but they missed the free throw allowing the Vikings to keep their one point lead. After a Bethany turnover, North Central would get the ball back and fire off a shot with under 10 seconds to go but Bethany would secure the rebound and get fouled. Ewald would go to the line and knock down the first before missing the second, but the ensuing full court heave from the Rams missed as the Vikings took the win.

Klarenbeek and Trygg finished with 18 points apiece to pace the Vikings with Klarenbeek adding nine rebounds and Trygg eight. As a team, the Vikings outrebounded the Rams 43-31 in the contest including 10 on the offensive end.

Bethany will be back in action next Friday when they host Northland for Senior Night at 5:30 p.m.