Women’s basketball annihilates Bethany Lutheran 98-46

Aaron Young
Staff Writer

After two close games and victory against Michigan Tech over the weekend, the Minnesota State women’s basketball team blew the roof off the arena on Monday night, defeating Bethany Lutheran College by a final score of 98-46.

The team is now 3-1 and gave Bethany Lutheran College their first loss of the year. The game was closely contested in the first half. Neither team gained the upper hand as both teams committed turnovers.

At the end of the first, the Mavericks held on to a 16-15 thanks to a block by freshman center Kristi Fett.

In the second quarter, defense was key all around. Momentum shifted after senior guard Monica Muth drained a three pointer to get the Mavs up 24-20.

Thanks to that 3-pointer, the girls went on a run and closed out the half with a 37-25 score.

Once the second half started and the Mavs got possession of the ball, it was game over.

The Mavericks bulldozed their way to a 36-point third quarter. In the blink of an eye, the score became 73-42 at the end of the third.

By the time the fourth started, the coach decided to put in the bench.

The girls didn’t stop. Not even for a second. They scored 25 points in the fourth compared to Bethany Lutheran’s four total points. It was as if the Mavericks gave the Vikings ‘UCONN treatment’ as they dominated the floor. It was indeed a team effort at Bresnan Arena.

Another impressive fact is that seven players scored in double digits.

Sophomore forward Rachel Shumski and Brooke Tonsfeldt both played big for the Mavs. Shumski led the girls with 14 points and 4 rebounds, while Tonsfeldt almost had a double-double as she put up 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Muth and freshman guard Rylee Menster led the team in steals with two each. Muth also led the team in minutes with 21.

Overall, the Mavericks shot 49.3 percent from the field compared to 23.2 percent by the Vikings. Minnesota State outrebounded and had more assists than Bethany Lutheran. With 48 boards and 20 assists, the Mavericks were on fire on both ends of the floor.

After a dominating win against Bethany Lutheran, the women’s basketball team faces Concordia-St. Paul to open up conference play. There is no doubt they will use the momentum from this game and translate it to the next. Either way, the Lady Mavericks aren’t to be messed with.

Feature photo by Gage Cureton | MSU Reporter.