NORTHFIELD, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team won their fifth consecutive game with a 63-49 win at St. Olaf College Saturday afternoon. 
 
The Royals shot 58 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes of play, which led to a 37-26 margin at the break. BU then coasted to the eventual 14-point victory behind a 26-23 advantage in the final frame.
 
Sydney Schultz stayed hot from the last game and gave Bethel nine points from behind the 3-point line in the final five minutes of the opening half. She and Angie Kirchoff both shot well, as Kirchoff added eight points on 3-of-5 shooting and two free throws.
 
The two guards then handed their success off to Hannah Niewald and Kalli Zimmermann, who respectively scored eight and seven points in the final 20 minutes. Niewald was perfect from the foul line, while several of Zimmermann's baskets came from the eight rebounds she recorded in the frame.
 
The hosting Oles narrowed BU's lead to eight points with 1:19 remaining in the game, but Bethel finished the final 79 seconds 6-of-6 from the charity stripe and held on to the 14-point victory.
 
Kalli Zimmermann and Angie Kirchoff each scored 12 points, while Hannah Niewald finished with 10. Zimmmermann completed her fourth double-double of the season with 10 rebounds and four blocks. Niewald boarded five shots, while senior forward Lindy Parker had six points and six rebounds in the MIAC matchup.
 
Bethel had perhaps their best performance from the free throw line this season today after shooting 18-of-22 (81.8%) from the stripe. The Royals also finished the game 21-of-45 (46.7%) from the field.
 
Now 13-4 on the season and 7-3 in loop play, Bethel stands alone in second place among all 12 teams within the teams. The Royals will finish their regular season with seven of their last eight games at home. That could be music to their ears, as BU is 5-0 this season at the Robertson Gym and 18-1 in their last 19 games at home. Bethel will seek revenge against St. Catherine Wednesday night at 7 p.m.