Emily Skrien and Bethany Lutheran found just enough offense to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent Division III NCAA Tournament history. Photo by Caleb Williams, d3photography.com

Bethany Lutheran held No. 6 Bethel to one field goal in the final three minutes and rallied past the Royals, 62-58, for a shocking upset and the first win ever by a UMAC program in the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament.

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After the two teams battled to a 15-all tie score at the end of one period, Bethel appeared to gain control in the second quarter. The Royals put together a 9-0 run that began with an Elizabeth Schwarz three-pointer and ended with a Makenna Pearson three, giving Bethel a 24-17 advantage. Three-point plays by Schwarz and Taite Anderson late in the second quarter sent Bethel into the locker room with a 33-25 halftime lead. 

Trailing by 12 midway through the third quarter, the Vikings began their rally. 

Kenlie Pytleski's layup keyed a 14-2 spurt during which Bethany Lutheran got threes from Emilee Gustin, Abby Olson and Emily Skrien. Olson's three-point play with 15 seconds left in the third quarter put the Vikings in front, 46-45, to start the final period.

The teams battled back and fourth in the fourth quarter with the lead changing hands seven times. With her team trailing by three, Gustin hit another three that pulled Bethany Lutheran even at 53 with 3:25 to play. Kat Brown-Erdal immediately answered with a three for Bethel and then Olson went to the rim for two for BLC.

After an empty Bethel possession, Skrien got fouled going to the rim and sank two free throws for Bethany Lutheran, giving the Vikings the lead back, 57-56. Schwarz's layup briefly regained the lead for Bethel before Skrien made two more free throws for the Vikings. After a Bethel turnover, the Royals fouled Gustin who made both free throws and extended Bethany Lutheran's lead to 61-58. Bethel missed a three on its next possession and Olson streaked to the rim for the final basket of the game.

Olson finished the game with 21 points and eight rebounds for Bethany Lutheran (24-3). Anderson scored 15 points for Bethel (26-2).

The Vikings struggled against the Bethel press, committing 26 turnovers versus seven assists and 18 field goals, but the Vikings came up with the loose balls and clutch shots down the stretch. BLC also had the advantage at the foul line, shooting 18 for 21, versus the Royals' 8 for 17 showing.

Bethany Lutheran will face UW-Oshkosh in the second round on Saturday night in Arden Hills, Minn.