NORTHFIELD, Minn. – The St. Olaf College women’s basketball team secured a remarkable 79-67 victory over Bethany Lutheran College, extending their winning streak to four games. The game, held at Skoglund Center, showcased a display of resilience and talent from the Oles, who now boast an impressive record of 5-1 for the season.
St. Olaf demonstrated offensive prowess with four players reaching double-digit scores. They faced a challenge as Bethany Lutheran cut a 16-point third-quarter lead to just one in the final frame, but the Oles held their ground to achieve a victory that eclipses last season’s win total within the first six games. This marks the team’s best start since the 2015-16 season.
Sophomore standout Chloee Smith delivered a stellar performance, contributing a game-high 23 points paired with a season-best 11 rebounds. She achieved an impressive shooting accuracy of 10-for-13. Senior Paige Yagodinski, recognized on the D3hoops.com Team of the Week, added 17 points along with five rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a blocked shot. Notably, Yagodinski has consistently scored at least 17 points in each of the last four games.
In addition, sophomore Joy Brandenstein joined the scoring party, netting 15 points predominantly from the free-throw line, where she excelled with a 9-for-10 performance. Senior Sophia Kormann nearly achieved a double-double, contributing 14 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Collectively, the team demonstrated their skill with a shooting percentage of 47.5% (28-for-59) from the field.
The game began with a strong start for the Oles, who made their first five shots from within the paint, with four coming from Smith, quickly establishing a 10-6 lead. However, Bethany Lutheran retaliated with a 7-0 run, closing the first quarter ahead at 21-17, fueled by contributions from their bench.
The Oles regained control during the second quarter, outscoring the Vikings 21-9 and heading into halftime with a 38-30 lead. Led by Yagodinski’s nine points in that quarter, St. Olaf reclaimed their momentum, achieving their largest lead of the night at 10 points during an impressive 9-2 run.
As the game progressed, Bethany Lutheran’s Gianna Klarenbeek scored 10 points to help narrow the gap to 55-52 after the third quarter. However, a timely response from Smith early in the fourth quarter pushed St. Olaf’s lead to 47-31, marking their peak advantage.
Despite Bethany Lutheran closing the gap to a single point with a three-pointer from Kaylee Hunter, St. Olaf responded with a seven-point run, extending their lead to eight with 5:13 remaining. Brandenstein’s flawless 8-for-8 performance from the free-throw line in the closing minutes proved crucial in sealing the win for the Oles.
Looking ahead, St. Olaf is set to play their next three games on the road, beginning with their Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) opener against College of Saint Benedict on December 4 at 7 p.m.
