ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—The Bethel University women's basketball team topped the No. 9 team in the nation one week ago, and despite dropping a two-point road contest at Augsburg on Wednesday, the Royals (9-6, 5-3 MIAC) returned to form Saturday with a dominant 84-61 home victory over Hamline University. BU outscored the Pipers (3-12, 1-7 MIAC) 47-31 in the opening half, which led to the eventual 23-point triumph.
 
Bethel's bench was sensational throughout the 40 minutes of play. BU's nonstarters outscored Hamline's 50-9. A large part of that was due to Molly O'Toole, who finished with a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds, and two steals in 19 minutes played.
 
The Royals were also dominant inside, as they outscored the Pipers 28-16 in the paint and 13-2 in second chance points. BU's success inside is a direct reflection of their 38-33 advantage in rebounds, including a 13-4 margin in offensive boards. Bethel also forced Hamline into 20 turnovers, opposed to their 10, which led to a 28-10 edge in points off of turnovers.
 
Kalli Zimmermann just missed her first career triple-double Saturday. The junior forward recorded 14 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds, and five steals in 27 minutes of play. In addition to Zimmermann, Rachel Parupsky also finished with a double-double on 11 points and 10 boards. For Parupsky, it is her 34th career double-double and third this season.
 
Also scoring in double figures Saturday was sophomore transfer Abby Miller. Miller went 4-of-6 from the floor and 3-of-3 from downtown for 13 points. Miller has averaged 10.8 points per game in the last four contests with a 3-point shooting percentage of 78.6 during that stretch.
 
Chloe Graves, who played all 40 minutes, led the Pipers with 25 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
 
The Royals, who are 5-1 in the Robertson Center Gym this season and 29-3 over the last three years, remain home for their next contest, where they'll face Carleton College on Wednesday, January 20 at 7 p.m.