MANKATO, Minn. - The road to the NCAA national tournament runs through Mankato as Bethany women's basketball earned the UMAC regular season championship outright and No. 1 seed for playoffs with a 72-52 win over UM-Morris on Thursday evening. The Vikings, now winners of their last 11, improve to 14-10 overall and 11-0 in the league. 

Morris had a couple early leads to start the game, but the Vikings went up on their fifth possession and never trailed the rest of the game. Kaylee Hunter sunk a three midway through the first quarter, capping a 14-0 run. Bethany led 18-10 after 10 minutes. 

Kenadi Arndt gave the Vikings a double-digit advantage with a layup early in the second frame and the home team led by as much as 16 in the first half. Bethany held a 36-22 at the break.

The Vikings maintained a double-digit lead throughout the third quarter, up 56-41 after 30 minutes. A layup by Amelia Walker with three minutes left in the game gave the Vikings their first 20-point lead with the largest advantage of 24 coming after a Brea Mertz jumper with 1:21 to go. 

Arinn McGee led the Vikings with 17 points and 10 rebounds. She also had six assists and two blocks. Arndt added 14 points and eight boards. 

Bethany shot 44.4 percent from the floor and won the rebound battle 46-34.

Bethany closes out the regular season Saturday afternoon at North Central. 
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