Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn. - The Bethel women's basketball team began 2008 on a winning note by defeating visiting Northwestern College 65-39.

The Royals jumped out to a 12-point lead in the first eight minutes of the game and never looked back, leading by 20 at the half.  Bethel showed few signs of rust after a four-week hiatus, as they shot better than 50-percent from the floor and better than 80-percent from the free throw line.

Erica Hormig (So., Windom, Minn.) led the way for Bethel with 18 points and 4 rebounds, as well as two blocks.  She was 6-for-9 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Annegret Nautsch (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) tallied four of the Royals nine blocks and added 11 points and nine rebounds.

Northwestern was led by Kelly Zuleger, who had nine points by going 4-for-8 from the floor, including 1-for-3 from the perimeter.

Bethel improves to 5-2 on the season and will resume their conference schedule when they play at Saint Benedict at 3 p.m. on Saturday in St. Joseph, Minn.  Northwestern drops to 2-9 and will return home to play Finlandia next.