Notables
-Cieluch sets program record with 19 rebounds; ties record with seven blocked shots
-Walther now 11 points from 1,000 in her career.
-BLC tied for first in the UMAC
DULUTH, Minn. (
csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica women's basketball team was out-scored 29-18 in the fourth quarter in a 70-62 loss to Bethany Lutheran College Saturday at the Reif Gymnasium.
How it Happened
The Saints got off to a great start as
Michala Walther (Roseville, Minn./Concordia Academy) hit two 3-pointers in the opening two minutes to give the Saints an 8-2 edge. The Vikings (14-4, 8-1 UMAC) kept it close as the score would be tied five times in the quarter.
Kaylee Kennedy (Littlefork, Minn./Littlefork-Big Falls HS) connected on a layup late in the period to give the Saints an 18-16 edge heading into the second. Walther and Kennedy combined for 14 of the team's 18 points in the quarter.
CSS opened the second quarter on a 9-2 run to extend the margin to nine. The Saints maintained the lead the rest of the first half and would lead 34-26 at halftime. The story of the first half was
Danielle Cieluch (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS), who recorded six blocked shots in the first 20 minutes of action.
St. Scholastica would start the second half just 1-of-9 from the field and would see its lead trimmed down to 39-37 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Saints were still able to maintain the lead and led 44-41 heading into the fourth.
However, the Vikings would start the fourth period on a 10-1 run to take a 51-45 lead. Cieluch then scored six of the next eight points for the Saints to get back within two at 55-53 with 3:30 to go.
Unfortunately, Bethany responded by scoring 12 of the next 15 points to pull away and would win by a final of 70-62.
Cieluch Sets Records
Cieluch would finish with seven blocked shots to tie a program record, which she tied earlier this season against these same Vikings. Cieluch would also finish with a single-game program record of 19 rebounds. Her final line would read 10 points, 19 rebounds, seven blocks, three assists.
Other Top Performances for CSS
Kennedy led four Saints in double figures with 17 points. Walther finished with 16 points, eight of which came in the first quarter.
Mariah Pearson (Blaine, Minn./Blaine HS) also had 10 points.
Top Performances for BLC
Hanna Geistfeld led the Vikings with 22 points. Haley Sandin had 20 points and five assists.
Up Next
The Saints (4-12, 4-5 UMAC) will host North Central University (Minn.) on Wednesday at The Reif. Tip time is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
