Box Score

ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University women's basketball team erased a 16-point deficit Monday evening against defending 2013 regular season champion, Concordia College. The unbeaten Royals (5-0, 3-0 MIAC) utilized a 49-24 second-half surge to top the Cobbers (4-2, 2-1 MIAC) by a final score of 78-65.
 
Including the final 1:34 of the first half, Bethel went on a 39-9 run over a 16-minute time span. Throughout that time BU turned a 16-point deficit with 1:34 left in the opening period, into a 14-point lead with 5:29 left in the game. Many things can be attributed to the Royals success, but perhaps the biggest stat line was 59.1 percent shooting in the second half. Sydney Schultz also helped Bethel go 4-of-5 from downtown in the final frame, after shooting 1-for-7 in the first.
 
In addition to the team's shooting success, BU's defense was outstanding. The Royals forced 10 turnovers in the second half and 18 in the game. Moreover, Kalli Zimmermann just missed the all-time record at Bethel for steals in a single game, as she swiped nine steals from the Cobbers. Her nine steals went alongside an already stellar performance, as the freshman scored 14 points and hauled in eight rebounds. Zimmermann's 8-of-12 performance helped the Royals finish the night 29-of-48 from the charity stripe—the most free throws shot in a single game in program history.
 
In addition to Zimmermann, Rachel Parupsky scored nine points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked three shots in just 23 minutes played. Hannah Niewald had a game-high 18 points on 6-of-12 shooting with six rebounds and three assists.
 
With the win, the Royals remain unbeaten—improving to 5-0 early in the 2013-14 season. Bethel will travel to Northfield Wednesday night to take on Carleton College. Tipoff against the Knights is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. at West Gymnasium.