ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College women's basketball team fell to Bethel University, 74-52 in Saturday afternoon MIAC action at the Leonard Center. After a first half battle, the Royals shot 57% in the final 20 minutes to increase and hold the lead. The loss brings Macalester to 7-14 overall and 2-12 in league play. Bethel improves to 13-8 overall and 9-5 in the MIAC.
 
Both teams battled hard in the first half as Macalester led for nearly eight minutes and Bethel held on for 12. Sophomore center Regan Fruh (Helena, Mont./ Helena) got off to a great start offensively, scoring eight first-half points and pulling down six rebounds. Fruh continued her efforts in the second half as she finished with 22 points and a season-best 15 rebounds.
 
Erin Murray (Sparta, Wis. / Sparta) added 11 points for the Scots after connecting on four shots from the field and making three of four attempts from the charity stripe.
 
Leah Gray (San Rafael, Calif. / Branson School) finished with eight points and five boards before fouling out of the contest. Sophomore guard Vivi Gregorich (Boulder, Colo. / Boulder) dished out a team-best four assists.
 
Bethel was led in scoring by Abby Miller and Molly O'Toole who each had 12 points for the Royals. O'Toole pulled down 10 boards.
 
Bethel shot 47% from the field and 62% from beyond the arc, connecting on eight three-pointers. Macalester shot 32% from the field and made three of seven shots from three-point range.
 
The Scots will return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 10 when they travel to Northfield, Minn. to take on Carleton for the first time this season. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.