ARDEN HILLS, Minn. -- The St. Scholastica women's basketball team made history Tuesday night, competing in its first-ever MIAC Playoff game, as the sixth-seeded Saints fell to third-seeded Bethel, 87-57, in the MIAC Quarterfinals at the Robertson Center.
The appearance marked St. Scholastica's first conference postseason game since joining the MIAC in 2021-22 and its first overall postseason contest since 2018. The Saints conclude their season with a 16-10 overall record, while Bethel advances at 20-6.
Bethel came out with urgency on its home floor, shooting 62.5 percent in the opening quarter and building a 26-9 lead after one. The Royals extended the margin in the second quarter, taking a 48-15 advantage into halftime.
Despite the deficit, the Saints responded with their strongest stretch of the night in the third quarter. St. Scholastica poured in 26 points in the frame, shooting 38.5 percent from the field and an impressive 13-of-14 (92.9 percent) from the free throw line. The Saints knocked down three triples in the quarter and showed the poise that earned them a postseason berth.
Ava Haus (St. Michael, MN/St. Michael-Albertville High School) led St. Scholastica with 21 points, including three three-pointers and a perfect 6-for-6 performance from the free throw line. Jackie Johnson (Bemidji, MN/Bemidji HS) added 13 points with three makes from beyond the arc. Evie Schmitz (Burnsville, MN/St. Louis Park) contributed eight points, while Kloey Lind (Pine City, MN/Pine City HS) added eight points and four rebounds in the effort.
The Saints finished 18-of-55 (32.7 percent) from the field and 15-of-21 (71.4 percent) at the line. Bethel shot 49.2 percent overall and held a 49-25 advantage on the glass.
Emily Erickson paced the Royals with 25 points and nine rebounds, while Cally Peterson added 14 points.
