Backus Native Taylor Sheley Profiled in MIAC Friday Feature

SAINT PAUL, MN (02/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Bethel University women's basketball senior Taylor Sheley of Backus, Minn., was featured in the MIAC's Profile of Excellence feature on the MIAC News Website.

Sheley was recognized for her leadership both on and off the court. This season Sheley led the Bethel women's basketball team to several big wins as well as a final playoff spot. She led the MIAC in scoring for the season, averaging 19.3 points per game. She also ranked in the top 10 in almost every offensive category. She finished her career in the top five among Bethel's all-time leaders in scoring and assists, as well as being one of only five players to receive All-MIAC honors three or more times.

Royals' coach Jon Herbrechtsmeyer notes that Taylor has been a foundational part of the program since the beginning. He said, "Taylor is among the handful of top players I have ever had the honor of coaching over the past 22 years," going on to explain, "A lot of our success is because of Taylor's leadership and how she has grown over the last four years. She sets a great tone for us. She has been leading our team in a variety of ways, on and off the floor, really, since she was a freshman. She didn't realize she was, but she was."

Sheley totaled 1,425 points for her career, placing her fifth on the all-time scoring charts at Bethel. Her 503 points this season left her just 9 points away from the all-time best single season performance by a Royal. A highlight of Sheley's season came on December 3, she scored her 1,000th career point in a 60-52 win over Macalester.

Sheley led Bethel to a sixth seed conference finish, sending Bethel to play third-ranked Concordia. The Bethel women's basketball team traveled to Moorehead to face the Concorida Cobbers in the first round of the MIAC playoffs. They fell to the Cobbers 55-50. Sheley lead the team with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Sheley, a nursing major with a 3.70 GPA, will graduate this spring, in hopes of staying in the Twin Cities and finding a position in Pediatrics or E.R.

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.