Notables
-BLC went on a 17-0 run in the third quarter
-Kennedy and Cieluch were the only CSS starters to score
-CSS had 18 points off the bench, the Vikings had nine
DULUTH, Minn.(
csssaints.com) - The St. Scholastica women's basketball team led by 16 points with six minutes remaining in the third quarter, but ended up falling to Bethany Lutheran College 56-51 on Saturday at Reif Gymasium.
First Half
The Vikings (5-3, 1-1 UMAC) tallied the first points of the game, making a jumper and two free throws to earn a 4-point lead until
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) opened the scoring for the Saints. CSS would later go on an eight-point run to earn a 10-6 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Mariah Pearson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) made a three-pointer to give the Saints a 13-10 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Saints started the second quarter well, as
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) scored seven straight points to give CSS a 10-point lead. Later
Chelsea Swatek (Cromwell, Minn./Cromwell HS) drained a 3-pointer to extend the margin to 14 points. The Saints went into halftime leading by a score of 29-17.
Second Half
A Swatek layup gave the Saints a 36-20 lead with six minutes remaining in the third quarter. However, that is when the wheels fell off. The Vikings proceeded to go on a 17-0 run over the next 4:34 to take a 37-36 lead. Cieluch made two free throws to regain the Saints' lead before the end of the quarter.
Bethany opened the fourth quarter by making two free throws to earn a one-point lead until Cieluch made a layup to make it 40-39 in favor of the Saints.
Bethany regained their lead off two free throws two minutes into the quarter, and would lead for the rest of the game. The score would be within at least three points until just over one minute remaining, when Bethany made a layup to make it 52-47 in favor of the Vikings.
Kennedy added a layup to make it a three-point game until Bethany made a pair of free throws to make it 54-49 with 13 seconds remaining. Cieluch made a jumper with six seconds remaining before Bethany made two free throws. The game finished 56-51 in favor of the Vikings.
Top Performers
Kennedy led the Saints for the second straight game with a season-high 19 points. Cieluch added 14 points and led the team with six rebounds. Swatek had 11 points off the bench. Kennedy, Cieluch and Swatek combined for 44 of the team's 51 points.
The conference's leading scorer Haley Sandin led Bethany Lutheran with 15 points despite only playing seven minutes in the first half. Hanna Geistfield added 14 points and nine rebounds.
Up Next
The Saints (3-4, 0-2 UMAC) continue conference play on Wednesday when they face North Central University (Minn.) at Reif Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
