ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – Amelia Solt (Fy./Loveland, Colo./Thompson Valley) tallied a game-high 16 points and Emma Henry (Jr./Prior Lake, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels) added her third career double-double, but the Carleton College women's basketball team dropped its conference opener, falling 63-56 at Bethel University.
 
Carleton (1-2, 0-1 MIAC) committed 23 turnovers and surrendered 23 offensive rebounds to the Royals (1-2, 1-0 MIAC). Bethel shot only 33 percent overall, and the Knights manged to limit Bethel to only a 10-8 edge in second-chance points. The teams finished even on points off turnovers with 16 apiece.
 
"We are a young team learning how to win," said Carleton head coach Tammy Metcalf-Filzen. "In that learning process, we can't skip steps. We didn't take care of the ball or the defensive boards tonight. We will get back to work and get better"
 
Both defenses were in control for much of the evening.

The Knights used a 7-0 run to take a 23-17 lead with 6:40 left in the second quarter, but the Royals closed the half on an 11-2 surge to carry a 28-25 lead into the break.

Solt's 3-pointer pulled Carleton within 36-35 with 4:38 in the third, but the Knights missed their final six shots of the period. Fortunately for Carleton, Bethel made only 1-of-12 shots over the same stretch and held a meager 38-35 lead heading into the final stanza. Carleton shot 38 percent over the first 30 minutes of the game while Bethel connected at 27 percent clip over the same stretch.
 
The final period saw the teams finally get going offensively as they combined for 46 points thanks to shooting 52 percent during the quarter.

Bethel pushed its lead to as many as seven points on several occasions over the final 10 minutes, but Carleton refused to go away. The Knights clawed back to within 58-55 after Aiana Whitfield (Sr./Richfield, Minn./Benilde St.-Margaret's) converted in the lane with 1:34 to go.
 
Bethel made only 3-of-8 free throws during the final minute, but the Knights missed their final five field-goal attempts of the game and could not close the gap.
 
Henry registered season highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds, with Whitfield contributing 11 points and four steals. Bella Thomas (So./Minneapolis, Minn./DeLaSalle) chipped in seven points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Margie Clauss (Jr./Minneapolis, Minn./Washburn) tallied eight points, four boards, and three steals.
 
Lydia Hagstrom had a double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) to lead Bethel.

The Knights finished with a 38-28 advantage for points in the paint, but Carleton was only 2-of-11 from beyond the arc (18 percent) while Bethel made 6-of-20 attempts (30 percent) from long range.

Since Jan. 29, 2022, Carleton has won 8 of its 11 games against MIAC opponents, but all three of those setbacks have come against the Royals… and all three were on the road. Bethel prevailed in the 2021-22 regular-season finale, then knocked the Knights from the MIAC Playoffs, and now won the 2022-23 conference opener. These teams play again on Feb. 4, 2023 in Northfield.
 
Up Next for the Knights
Carleton will step away from competition to focus on fall term final exams. The Knights will host St. Catherine University at 7:00 p.m on Tuesday, Nov. 22.