ST. PAUL, Minn. - Bethany women's basketball extended its winning streak to nine games Wednesday following a 63-56 win at Northwestern, improving to 12-10 overall and 9-0 in the conference.

After the Eagles made the first bucket of the game, the Vikings responded with eight straight points. UNW then tied the game at 13 and again at 15, but the visitors ended the quarter with a 17-15 lead. 

Bethany struggled offensively in the second frame, making just 2-of-13 shots from the field, but was able to keep it close at half, tying the game at 28 after a three by Juliana Ewald with six seconds remaining. 

The lead changed hands three times in the opening 2:30 of the third quarter before Arinn McGee made a layup that gave the Vikings an advantage they did not relinquish the rest of the game. 

Kaylee Hunter gave the Vikings their largest lead with a three-pointer at the 6:37 mark of the fourth, going up 54-47 and the Eagles were not able to get within four points the rest of the game. 

McGee paced the offense with 15 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor while making 5-of-6 from the charity stripe. She added three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Kenadi Arndt was next with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. 

The Vikings shot 36.4 percent from the floor and made 17-of-24 free throws. They also won the rebound battle 32-27.

Bethany returns home Saturday afternoon to face UW-Superior and can clinch at least a share of the conference title with a win. The Vikings won the first game of the series 68-59 on Jan. 10 in Superior. 
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