Inside Game Proves The Difference In Back-And-Forth Battle At Bethel

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. (1/24/26)---Concordia was unable to stop Bethel's inside game and lost 59-53 in Arden Hills.

The Cobbers were outscored 32-16 in points in the paint as they lost for only the second time in the last eight games.

Concordia is now 14-3 overall and 8-2 in the MIAC which drops them into a 3-way for first place in the league standings. Bethel is one of the teams in the 3-way tie and are now 13-4 in all games and 8-2 against conference opponents.

The game turned out to be another back-and-forth battle between the Cobbers and Royals. Saturday's contest featured 11 lead changes and eight tie scores.

Concordia's biggest lead of the game in the second quarter on a converted layup from Genevieve Gruba which put CC up by five at 20-15. Bethel followed that basket with a 5-0 run to tie the score at 20-20.

The Royals' biggest lead before they went on a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter was also five points.

The Cobbers were able to cut the 8-point deficit in the fourth period down to two points when Taya Jeffrey made a free throw with 1:51 left to play but that would be the final points that Concordia would score until the final seconds of the game.

Concordia finished the game by shooting 35.4% (17-for-48) from the field and 35.7% (5-for-14) from outside the arc. CC was 14-for-25 from the free throw line.

Bethel shot 38.2% (21-for-55) from the floor, 19.0% (4-for-21) from distance and was 13-for-17 from the foul stripe.

Maya Metcalf led the Cobbers with 21 points and 14 rebounds as she collected her fifth double-double of the year.

Gruba came through with 10 points and was 3-for-5 from the floor.

Concordia will continue with their 3-game stretch against Top 5 MIAC opponents when they host St. Benedict on Wednesday, Jan.  28 at 5:45 p.m.