ST. PAUL, Minn. – Maddie Schmitz scored 21 points to lead the College of Saint Benedict basketball team Saturday afternoon as the team wrapped up the 2019-20 season with a 79-53 loss to No. 11 Bethel.
 
CSB ends the season 11-14 overall and 7-13 in the MIAC. Saturday's contest marked the final game for seniors Alex Johnson and Sidney Schiffler and junior Megan Thompson, who is graduating early.
 
The Royals – who are 24-1 and clinched the MIAC regular-season title with a 19-1 record – took a 23-12 lead after the first quarter. CSB held Bethel to just three field goals and seven points in the second quarter, and got within six points thanks to baskets from Schmitz and Kendyl Thompson and a pair of free throws from Haylee Fingalsen, and were within eight, 30-22, at halftime.
 
A three from Schiffler kept the score within eight early, and Megan Thompson scored to get CSB within nine, but Bethel hit a three to push its lead back to double digits, and maintained that lead the rest of the game.
 
Schmitz finished with 21 points and eight rebounds to lead CSB, which shot just under 30 percent from the field. Schiffler added 10 points and Johnson finished with six rebounds. The Bennies went 16-for-20 from the line and had 30 rebounds and 18 turnovers.
 
Taite Anderson paced Bethel with 24 points and nine rebounds. The Royals shot 51.7 percent from the field, went 10-for-12 from the line and had 35 rebounds and 19 turnovers.