MANKATO, Minn. - In a low scoring affair Wednesday evening, Bethany women's basketball fended off a late rally by Martin Luther for a 43-37 win. The Vikings complete the series sweep, improving to 11-10 overall and 8-0 in the UMAC.Â
Not a single player in the game reached double figure scoring as both teams were limited to under 30 percent shooting. The Knights scored the first six points of the game before the Vikings went on a 9-2 run to take the lead for good. Morgan Hulke hit a three with 3:17 left in the first quarter to gain the advantage and the home team carried a 13-10 lead into the second quarter.Â
Kaylee Hunter's layup midway through the second gave the Vikings their largest lead of the half at 19-10 and a three by Megan Wegner in the final minute made it 24-16 at the break.Â
Martin Luther cut the deficit to two at the 3:52 mark of the third quarter, but the home team responded with a 10-1 run to close out the frame up 36-25. Bethany led by 10 with 6:35 left in the game, but the Knights did not go quietly, scoring six straight to make it a four-point difference with 3:17 on the clock. The Vikings went the final 6:35 of the game without making a shot from the field, but Martin Luther also had trouble finding the bottom of the net which proved to be the difference.Â
Bethany dominated the boards 56-33, marking a season-high and the most in a single game since 2022. The Vikings turned the ball over 26 times but the Knights were unable to convert with just seven points off the takeaway. Wegner and Kenadi Arndt led the offense with eight points apiece. Arinn McGee grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.Â
Bethany is off Saturday and returns to the hardwood next Wednesday at Northwestern-St. Paul.Â
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