WINONA, Minn. - On Saturday afternoon, the Saint Mary's women's basketball team (8-10) welcomed the conference's top team, Bethel University (16-3), to kick off the basketball double-header. The team stayed strong and kept it close until the very end, but ultimately fell short, losing 60-55 to the Royals.

Emma Mann, a guard for the Cardinals, stood out with her performance at the free-throw line, making six-of-six attempts. She also contributed defensively with two steals leading to eight points in a career high. Brianna Nusbaum, another key player, led the team in steals with three and added nine points to her tally. 

Rylie Sternquist was strong offensively, leading the team in baskets made with seven, resulting in a team-high 15 points. Julia Koch provided solid support with seven points and five rebounds, while Kali Olson recorded 12 points, making six-of-eight free throws, and added six rebounds to her performance.

In the first quarter, the Cardinals and Royals exchanged leads three times, with the score tied on four occasions. Early in the quarter, the Cardinals took the lead with two free throws by Olson at 9:15. Bethel responded with a layup to tie the game at 2-2. 

Bethel closed the quarter leading 13-12.

In the second quarter, Bethel began with a slight edge, leading the Cardinals 15-12 after an early layup. The teams traded leads as Sternquist helped the Cardinals regain momentum with a layup and free throw, bringing the score to 17-15 at one point. 

In the final minutes, Bethel pulled ahead with a layup which helped them secure a 32-27 lead at the end of the quarter, marking a 19-15 scoring advantage in the quarter.

Bethel started strong in the third quarter with an early jumper, increasing their lead. Lindsey Lettner responded for the Cardinals with a layup at the 8:19 mark, reducing the gap. Bethel tried to extend their advantage with a three-pointer, but Koch answered with her own three-pointer, narrowing the score to 40-34. 

In the final quarter, Bethel jumped out to their largest lead of the game 51-43. At 9:00, Sternquist responded for the Cardinals with a jumper, bringing the score to 53-45 after a timeout. Olson kept the Cardinals in contention with a layup at 1:30, narrowing the gap to 60-53. 

The Cardinals could not knock down the final few baskets to get within a one score game and fell short to the Royals at home. 

The team will be back in action on Wednesday, February 5th, at 5:30 p.m., facing off against nationally ranked Gustavus Adolphus on the road.