ST. JOSEPH, Minn. - In a game that came down to the final possession after seven lead changes, Bethany women's basketball suffered a 51-50 loss at Saint Benedict on Saturday, dropping to 0-2.
The Vikings gained the early advantage at 7-2 following a three from Megan Wegner at the 6:02 mark of the first quarter. A couple of layups from Arinn McGee and Kenadi Arndt in the final minute gave the Vikings an 18-8 lead after one quarter of play.
The Bennies scored 13 straight points midway through the second quarter to gain a 21-20 lead, before the Vikings responded with a 10-6 run to take a 30-26 lead into the locker room at half.
Saint Ben's tied the score twice in the third quarter, but the visitors did not relinquish the lead until their was 6:59 remaining in the game. The lead changed sides four more times to end the game. Juliana Ewald made a layup with 1:31 left to go up 50-49, but the Bennies answered with their own layup with 54 second left. A couple missed free throws in the final minute negated another would-be scoring change in favor of the Vikings and the Bennies escaped with the one-point victory.
Bethany shot 35.3 percent from the floor, while Saint Ben's shot 29.5 percent. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc as the Vikings shot 4-for-20 and the Bennies 0-for-15. The Vikings won the rebound battle 45-35.
McGee, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, led the Vikings with 12 points and 13 rebounds for the double-double. Ewald was next with 11 points.
The Vikings host UW-La Crosse on Thursday night for their home opener.
