Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—All cylinders of the Royals women's basketball unit were running on full octane Saturday afternoon, as Bethel defeated Carleton College convincingly 71-49.

The Royals (4-14, 3-12 MIAC) jumped out to a 17-4 lead to start the game, thanks to a game plan centered around Rachel Parupsky (Fr., Arden Hills, Minn.), who scored the game's first ten points. The Knights (4-14, 4-11 MIAC) cut the 31-21 halftime deficit to three points at 47-44, but Bethel found a way to end the game on a 24-5 run thanks to exceptional shooting and effective passing.
 
“I am very pleased with our overall execution on both ends today,” noted head coach John Herbrechtsmeyer. “We executed well offensively in press break, zone offense, man offense, and we shot the ball exceptionally well in the second half.”
 
Bethel started the game with a 12-0 lead thanks to 10 points by Parupsky and held on to its advantage throughout the half. Carleton clawed its way back, however, slowly trimming the Royals lead to three points with 10:51 left to play. The Royals received dynamic 3-point shooting down the stretch, though, resulting in a 24-5 run in the final minutes of the game.
 
BU finished the game shooting 46.4 percent from the floor (26-of-56) and an even better 50 percent (10-of-20) from downtown. Included in the Royals 10-of-20 effort from long range, was a 7-of-8 performance in the second half, including four from Katelyn Vavra (Jr., Askov, Minn.) and three from Sydney Schultz (Fr., Dalton, Minn.).
 
“In the first half we established dominance in the paint and that set us up for numerous wide open looks from the perimeter in the second half when they were forced to double and sometimes even triple team in the paint,” admits Herbrechtsmeyer.
 
Rachel Parupsky was just as solid down low—finishing the game with 21 points and 12 rebounds, resulting in her seventh double-double of the season. Parupsky also finished with six blocks and three assists. Meanwhile, Sydney Schultz finished with 15 points and three boards, while Katelyn Vavra dropped 15 points, recorded four steals, two assists, and two rebounds. Hannah Niewald (Fr., Fridley, Minn.) also added 11 points and three rebounds.

Unsung heros in tonight's game include Kelly Swenson (Sr., Dawson, Minn.), ending the game with six points, six rebounds, and three assists, while Kristi Nye Studanski (Sr., Brentwood, Tenn.) finished with two points, four boards, seven assists, and four steals.
 
The Royals outscored Carleton in the paint Saturday 30-20 and took advantage of a 10-2 difference in fast-break points. Being able to outrebound the Knights 40-30 also led to a 15-6 distinction in second-chance points.

Herbrechtsmeyer closed with, “I am thrilled for our girls who have continued to work hard even through adversity this season.”
 
Bethel, who has squeezed two losses between each win in the last seven games, hopes to continue rewriting the script Wednesday, when they face Saint Benedict at home. The Blazers are 21-3 in conference play this year, tied for second place with Saint Mary's. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.