Notables
-Walther becomes first Saint to score at least 30 points since the 2003-04 season
-Walther made all five three-pointers for the Saints
-Walther has had a three game streak of scoring over 20 points, the first CSS player to do that since 2003-04.
-Walther had a career-high 10 rebounds for her first career double-double
-CSS leads Bethany Lutheran 18-8 all-time

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DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) -The St. Scholastica women's basketball team hosted and defeated Bethany Lutheran College Friday night 68-61 at the Reif Gym. The Saints had previously dropped three straight to Bethany Lutheran, including being held to a series-low 38 points in a loss to the Vikings in December.

The Action
To start the first quarter, the Vikings netted a good layup to get their team on the board first 2-0. However, Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) would strike back for the Saints with a good three-pointer, putting the Saints ahead 3-2. The Vikings would then take off from here, pulling into the lead for the rest of the quarter. St. Scholastica would always stay one step behind Bethany Lutheran, coming within two points of the Vikings at a point. BLC would pull away near the end of the quarter, leading 21-11 to start the second period.

Walther would get the second quarter started with netting a good three-pointer for the Saints, bringing the score to 21-14. CSS would be behind by only six points at a point, but the Vikings extended the lead back to 11. The half would end with the Vikings leading 33-23.

Five minutes through the third quarter, Michala would shoot another successful three-pointer to tie up the game 35-35. Bethany Lutheran, however, regained the lead again until Mel Weisbrick (Hibbing, Minn./Hibbing HS (Hibbing CC)) netted a good free throw to tie up the game again at 37-37. Rachel Weyenberg (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) gave the Saints the lead for the first time in the contest with a good layup, putting the score 39-37. The Vikings would manage to tie up the game again 39-39, but Walther would shot two good free throws to pull away to make it 41-39. The Saints would continue to have a narrow lead throughout the rest of the quarter, ending with a score of 46-41.

Walther took over in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 of the team's first 12 points to lengthen the CSS lead to as much as 14 with 3:22 remaining. However, the Vikings responded with a 13-1 over the following two minutes to make it a two-point game. However, the Saints were able to hold the Vikings at the free throw line to win 68-61.

Top Performers
Walther had 20 of her career-high 31 points in the second half. This is her third game in a row with 20 points or more. CSS has not had a player record at least 20 points in three straight games since Jackie Plesha did it during the 2004-05 season. She also had a career-high 10 rebounds for her first collegiate double-double. Weisbrick added 18 points as the two combined for 49 of the team's 68 points. 

Haley Sandin scored the most points for Bethany Lutheran with 20.

Up Next
For Senior Day, the Saints (6-13, 4-7) host Martin Luther College in the Reif Gym tomorrow. Game time is scheduled for 3 p.m.