SIOUX CITY, IA  - [BOX SCORE] In the first game of the 2025 NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship Round of 16, Bethel (Tenn.) secured the win over Hastings (Neb.) with a final score of 78-70 inside the Tyson Events Center.

The game kicked off with Bethel taking a slight edge in the first quarter, leading 19-15. They extended their lead by halftime with a score of 39-32. Hastings attempted a comeback in the third quarter, matching Bethel's 16 points, but Bethel secured their win with a strong fourth quarter performance, outscoring Hastings 23-21.

Bethel's success was driven by a standout performance from Micah Hart, who recorded a double-double with 18 points and 15 rebounds. Madison Hart also made a significant contribution with 16 points and an impressive 16 rebounds. Off the bench, MJ Simmons provided a crucial boost, adding 13 points on an efficient 4-5 shooting.

Hastings struggled with shooting efficiency, hitting only 30.2% from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc. Macy Bryant was the leading scorer for Hastings with 18 points, followed by McKenna Yates with 12 points. Despite their efforts, Hastings could not overcome Bethel's defensive pressure and their own shooting woes.

Rebounding played a pivotal role in the game, with Bethel dominating the boards, securing 55 rebounds to Hastings' 49. Bethel's superior free-throw shooting (78.1%) also contributed to their victory, capitalizing on Hastings' fouls.

 This win propels Bethel into the quarterfinals for the third time in program history. The Wildcats will face the winner of Southern Oregon vs Xavier (La.) on Saturday, March 22nd.