STORM LAKE, Iowa (Nov. 30, 2025) - Sophomore Bradi Krager scored a game-high 21 points for Buena Vista and made the eventual game-winning three-point basket with 18 seconds remaining, as the Beavers picked up a thrilling 61-60 non-conference win over Bethany Lutheran on Sunday evening.

The Vikings led 56-52 with 2:44 to play but BVU chipped away and pulled even at 58-58 on a jumper from sophomore Tyme Boettcher with 53 seconds to go. Bethany Lutheran went back in front at 60-58 with under 40 seconds left on the clock as BVU took a timeout with 33 seconds remaining. That's when Krager then took a pass on the right elbow from Boettcher and drilled the go-ahead trey.

Bethany Lutheran had a chance to go-ahead at the other end of the court but missed a layup with six seconds to go as Krager pulled down the rebound and was immediately fouled. The Vikings still had a foul to give and had to foul on the inbounds after BVU had advanced the ball. Freshman Maddy Raveling went to the free-throw line with 2.6 seconds left but had both attempts rim out and the Vikings grabbed the rebound and called timeout with exactly two seconds left. Coming out of a timeout, the Vikings tried to get the ball inside to their post player but was denied and they had to settle for a three-point attempt that was off target.

The Beavers jumped out to an early 16-6 lead midway through the first quarter but the Vikings scored the final seven points of the quarter to make it just a three-point advantage at 16-13. That momentum carried over into the start of the second quarter as the Vikings went in front 22-18 but the game was back-and-forth the rest of the half with the teams going to the locker room all tied at 29-29. Bethany Lutheran opened up a seven-point cushion with just over two minutes to play in the third quarter before the Beavers rallied to tie it at 46-46 heading to the fourth. BVU shot 50 percent from the field in the final period and built its largest lead of the second half at 56-51 with under four minutes to go to set up the thrilling finish. Krager's heroic three-point bucket was the team's only make from downtown in the final period.

Krager was 9-of-13 shooting in the game and was 3-of-5 from long range. She also led the way with her nine rebounds and six steals. Junior Mary Walker was the only other player to score in double figures for BVU and finished with 16. Boettcher chipped in with eight points and matched her season-high by dishing out a team-best four assists.

As a team, the Beavers shot 53.8 percent in the second half and finished at 48 percent overall. It went 6-of-17 from downtown but was held to only 3-of-7 at the free-throw line. The Vikings went to the line 16 times in the game and was 11-of-16 while shooting 39 percent from the field overall. 

Arinn McGee led Bethany Lutheran (2-6) with 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. 

Buena Vista runs its record to 4-3 on the year and will host Coe College (4-1) on Wednesday, Dec. 3, to begin American Rivers Conference play. Tip-off against the Kohawks is set for 5:30 p.m.