ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team utilized an incredible team performance Wednesday evening to stay perfect in 2016 and defeat St. Olaf by a final score of 66-48.
 
The Royals (7-5, 3-2 MIAC) held the Oles (8-4, 3-2 MIAC) to just 25 percent shooting from the floor and from downtown, while they themselves, finished 44.4 percent from the floor and 47.1 percent from outside the 3-point arc in the victory. Moreover, BU made 18-of-24 attempts (75%) from the free throw line, while St. Olaf was just 9-of-16 (56.3%).
 
Bethel jumped out to a 20-7 lead in the opening quarter of play, but despite allowing the Oles to cut the margin to six at the break, the Royals slammed the door with an 18-7 effort in the third quarter. In fact, BU led by 20 with 4:18 remaining in the game and cruised to an 18-point advantage.
 
The Royals' bench outscored St. Olaf 31-22 and together, BU outrebounded the Oles 45-36. 10 different players on the Bethel squad scored and eight contributed at least five points. Kalli Zimmermann led all players with 12 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Abby Miller was the only other player to score in double figures. Miller went 3-of-4 from downtown and added two free throws in 16 minutes of play.
 
Other key contributors included Sydney Schultz, who scored nine points, Hannah Niewald, who recorded six points, seven rebounds, and three assists, and Shanni Moorse, who finished with five points, seven rebounds, and three assists.
 
St. Olaf was led by Makenna Ash, who tallied 10 points and eight rebounds.
 
The Royals take their two-game winning streak and four wins in the last five games to the University of St. Thomas Saturday, where they meet the Tommies in game two of the afternoon doubleheader. Tipoff between these two rivals will take place 30 minutes after the men; roughly around 3 p.m.