Senior guard Macy Hatlestad scored 10 of her career-high 26 points to fuel a game-closing 18-4 run over the final 4:45 of the contest as host St. Thomas opened its 2020-21 women's basketball season with Wednesday night's 69-66 non-conference win over Bethel in Schoenecker Arena.

The Tommies (1-0) went ahead by three points with 17 seconds left on two free throws by freshman Katelyn Stanley, her first college points in 31 minutes played in her debut outing.

The Royals (0-1) missed three potential tying 3-point shots in the closing stretch. After building the game's biggest lead at 62-51 with 4:51 remaining, Bethel made just one field goal the rest of the game. Elizabeth Schwarz led Bethel with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

The second of Hatlestad's two late treys with 2:26 left put the Toms ahead 63-62 and capped a 12-0 St. Thomas run. After BU's Bella Williams made a layup to put the Royals up 66-65, Hatlestad made two free throws with 1:09 left to put the Toms ahead to stay. 

St. Thomas sophomore Madi Schirmer scored a career-best 16 points before fouling out. Senior Kaia Porter, who missed virtually all last season recovering from surgery, scored all 11 of her points in the second half and added six rebounds and three assists.

These teams are scheduled to play again March 6 in Arden Hills for the game that counts in the MIAC's seven-game standings. Bethel ended St. Thomas' five-season reign as MIAC champs last winter as it swept the conference regular-season and playoff crowns en route to a 26-2 finish, including a 65-49 February road win over the third-place Tommies.