Box Score

ST. PETER, Minn.—Kalli Zimmermann's 29-point effort against Gustavus Wednesday evening helped push Bethel University's women's basketball squad to a 66-60 win on the road. The victory was special for many reasons, as the Royals (16-6, 14-5 MIAC) not only held their ground in the MIAC standings at No. 4 overall, but they also won their 16th game of the season. The last time BU won 16 games in a season was in 1996-97—now 17 years ago.
 
Additionally, Bethel's dynamic turnaround season that has resulted in already nine more conference victories than in 2012-13 is a league record for biggest turnaround in a program's history. The Royals previously shared the mark with Hamline, who recorded eight more MIAC wins from 2011-12 to 2012-13.
 
Kalli Zimmermann had a career-high 29 points against the Gusties (13-9, 10-9 MIAC), as she finished 10-of-15 from the field and 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Zimmermann was just one rebound shy of her fourth double-double, finishing with nine rebounds, alongside two blocks and two steals.
 
Rachel Parupsky worked hard for her ninth double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and hauling down 12 rebounds. Parupsky also had four blocks. Sydney Schultz contributed 11 points thanks to 3-of-6 shooting from outside the arc.
 
Bethel jumped out to a 35-29 lead at the midway mark Wednesday night, but Gustavus used a 9-0 surge early in the second half to jump ahead of the Royals 40-37 with 15:45 remaining in the game. Play remained very even throughout the entire game, but a 5-0 swing in favor of Bethel allowed them to jump in front by three with two minutes left and BU never surrendered its lead throughout the final stretch.
 
The Royals outrebounded Gustavus 44-34 at the Gus Young Court, leading to an 11-7 advantage in second-chance points. Bethel took advantage of 12 Gustie turnovers with 19 points off turnovers as well as 30 points in the paint. BU collectively shot 41.1 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from downtown.
 
With a playoff spot already secured, Bethel is still playing for a higher seed and home court advantage. The Royals finish the regular season with three contests, including a road test Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first of two games that day (men to follow). BU then completes the campaign with a pair of home matchups, first against St. Catherine on Wednesday, February 19, followed by the regular season finale against St. Olaf on Saturday, February 22.