Ben Hande
February 5, 2005
The St. Olaf women's basketball team went down to the wire Saturday afternoon beating Bethel University 60-56 in Skoglund Center.
St. Olaf saw a 30-26 halftime lead quickly dissipate early in the second half, but fought back and stayed even for the remainder forcing several lead changes in the game's final two minutes.
The Oles were led by Molly Simon (Sr., Hudson, Wis.) with 17 points, shooting 7-for-10 from the freethrow line, including three crucial freethrows in the closing moments. Kristy Larson (Sr., St. Ansgar, Iowa) had a big game in the post with 12 points, seven boards and the game-tying and go-ahead freethrows with 45 seconds remaining.
This match-up was almost identical to the last meeting between the two teams. St. Olaf lost that game 72-68, but the Ole defense stepped up Saturday forcing 20 turnovers behind Christine Schwichtenberg's (Jr., Hopkins, Minn.) four steals. St. Olaf held Jen Ahlberg (Jr., Milaca, Minn.), the MIAC's leading scorer, to 4-of-17 shooting and 14 points; she had 27 in the last meeting.
The win gives the Ole women their second straight and moves them to 5-10 in the MIAC and 6-13 overall. Bethel falls to 5-10 in conference play.
St. Olaf heads to St. Paul Monday to take on the 6-9 University of St. Thomas beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Newspaper Box Score BU vs St. Olaf College 02/05/05 1:00 at Skoglund Center At Skoglund Center ST. OLAF COLLEGE 60, BU 56 BU (7-11) Heather Davis 5-15 6-10 16; Jen Ahlberg 4-17 4-5 14; Emily Uzpen 4-7 2-5 10; Bridget Weber 2-3 1-2 6; JoLynn Thielke 1-9 2-4 5; Emily Stavem 1-1 0-0 2; Kayla Shumpski 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 18-55 16-28 56. ST. OLAF COLLEGE (5-13) Molly Simon 4-15 7-10 17; Kristy Larson 5-9 2-2 12; Chr. Schwichtenberg 1-6 3-9 5; Holly Grimsrud 2-8 0-0 5; Danielle Stoermer 2-3 1-2 5; Kristina Stoermer 2-7 0-0 4; Corinne Thomas 2-4 0-0 4; Christina Sampson 1-5 1-2 3; Jenny Dettle 1-4 0-0 2; Vicky Peterson 0-2 2-2 2. Totals 20-63 17-29 60. BU............................ 26 30 - 56 St. Olaf College.............. 30 30 - 60 3-point goals-BU 4-17 (Jen Ahlberg 2-6; JoLynn Thielke 1-8; Bridget Weber 1-1; Kayla Shumpski 0-1; Emily Uzpen 0-1), St. Olaf College 3-15 (Molly Simon 2-7; Holly Grimsrud 1-3; Chr. Schwichtenberg 0-1; Corinne Thomas 0-1; Christina Sampson 0-2; Jenny Dettle 0-1). Fouled out--BU-Heather Davis, St. Olaf College-None. Rebounds-BU 45 (Betsy Stevens 6; Bridget Weber 6), St. Olaf College 48 (Kristy Larson 7). Assists-BU 7 (Jen Ahlberg 2; Emily Uzpen 2), St. Olaf College 11 (Kristina Stoermer 3; Chr. Schwichtenberg 3). Total fouls-BU 25, St. Olaf College 21. A-220