St. Scholastica achieved a remarkable comeback victory over the No. 21-ranked Bethel University, winning 65-63 in a tightly contested women’s basketball game on March 2, 2024. The match took place at Reif Gym in Duluth, Minnesota, where the Saints rallied from a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter.
With just under nine minutes remaining, St. Scholastica trailed 53-41. A pivotal 10-0 run ensued, propelled by two three-pointers from Evie Schmitz and close-range baskets from Kloey Lind. This surge allowed the Saints to tie the game at 57 with 2:59 left on the clock. Schmitz played a crucial role, scoring 13 of her total 20 points in the fourth quarter. Her final three-pointer in that stretch gave St. Scholastica a decisive lead of 60-59 with 2:37 to go.
Despite some tense moments in the closing seconds where Schmitz recorded a steal, the Royals failed to get off a shot before the final buzzer. Ava Haus contributed significantly, notching a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. This win improved St. Scholastica’s record to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the MIAC.
Saints Dominate Macalester Ahead of Gustavus Adolphus Matchup
Earlier in the week, the Saints secured a comfortable 62-48 victory over Macalester, leading 39-22 at halftime. Schmitz and Haus both showcased their shooting prowess, each making five three-pointers, with Schmitz scoring 22 points and Haus adding 19. St. Scholastica will face Gustavus Adolphus on March 6, 2024, looking to maintain their momentum.
In men’s basketball, St. Scholastica also performed strongly, defeating Bethel 93-73. The Saints shot over 58% from the field in both halves, despite limited success from beyond the arc. Koy Nelson led the team with 25 points, while Davion Butler and Jayden Brown added 18 and 15 points, respectively. After falling behind early, the Saints established a commanding lead by halftime and maintained it throughout the second half.
Challenges for Saints Hockey Teams
In contrast, the women’s hockey team faced a tough weekend against Concordia-Moorhead, suffering back-to-back defeats. The Cobbers won 5-3 on Friday and followed up with a 5-2 victory on Saturday. In the first game, Gabby Gamst briefly gave St. Scholastica a 3-2 lead, but Concordia responded with three unanswered goals. Goalkeeper Makenzie Cole made 34 saves in that match.
The scenario was similarly disappointing on Saturday, where the Saints had a 2-1 lead after two periods but conceded three goals in the third period. Cole again showcased her skills, finishing with 27 saves. The women’s hockey team currently holds a record of 5-9-1 and will look to turn things around when they host Bethel on March 8, 2024.
Meanwhile, the men’s hockey team experienced a challenging road trip, losing to Concordia 6-2 and 4-1. After an early deficit in Friday’s game, the Saints were unable to recover, despite goals from Gavin Gunderson and Riley Girod. On Saturday, St. Scholastica managed to take an early lead, but ultimately fell victim to four unanswered goals from the Cobbers.
With the men’s hockey team now at 4-12-1, they will seek to end a five-game losing streak when they face Bethel again on March 8, 2024.
The upcoming games present a crucial opportunity for St. Scholastica’s teams to build on their successes and address their setbacks in a competitive MIAC season.
