RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The Falcons led for a majority of the first half but couldn't keep pace with Bethel in the second half in a 62-47 loss in Arden Hills, Minn. on Tuesday night. The undefeated Royals trailed UW-River Falls for almost the entire first half and were down 28-26 after Crystal Pearson hit a three-pointer with four minutes remaining in the second quarter. Pearson had 10 points in the first half, but Bethel would end the half on an 8-1 run and never trail again in the game.

Layups from Madelyn O'Brien and Taylor Paulsrud brought the game within one point in the opening minute of the third quarter at 34-33, and a Jenna Zeman shot from beyond the arc kept the game close at 37-36. However, the Falcons didn't score for the final 7:43 of the third quarter and trailed 51-36 after a 14-0 run from Bethel to end the quarter. Seven points in the third quarter also ties their fewest points in a quarter this season. 

UWRF scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, but they weren't able to cut into the Bethel lead in the final minutes. Paulsrud led the Falcons with 15 points on 3-7 shooting from the three-point line, and she is averaging almost 13 points per game this season. Zeman added 8 points and  a team-high 4 assists, while O'Brien and Brianna Leahy combined to haul in 15 rebounds. Leahy is currently near the top of the WIAC charts for rebounding with 8.8 per game. She also had two more blocks on Tuesday to add to her WIAC-leading 15 blocks through six games. 

Bethel scored 44 of their 62 points in the paint on Tuesday, with 6'1 senior Hannah Johnson scoring 18 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Taite Anderson had 16 points on 7-11 shooting, while the Royals forced 32 turnovers from the Falcons. 

The Falcons are now 3-2 against MIAC teams in non-conference play and 3-3 overall. They will be back in action on Nov. 28 when they take on St. Thomas at 7 p.m. at Page Arena.