Box Score ARDEN HILLS, Minn.—Bethel University's women's basketball team opened the 2016-17 campaign with a bang Tuesday night, as the Royals (1-0, 0-0 MIAC) handed Northland College an 87-47 setback in the Robertson Center Gym. BU jumped ahead of the Lumber Jills (0-1, 0-0 UMAC) 17-0 in the opening 4:28 of play and never looked back. Bethel shot 45.0 percent from downtown, 49.2 percent from the floor, and 78.3 percent from the foul line—all leading to the eventual 40-point victory.
Three-time MIAC All-Conference recipient
Kalli Zimmermann picked up right where she left off the 2015-16 season, as the senior forward composed a double-double in her last "first game" of the year. Zimmermann posted 19 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and four steals in 26 minutes of play. Perhaps more impressive was her 6-of-8 shooting from the floor and 7-of-8 mark from the foul line.
Right behind Zimmermann was junior
Abby Miller and newcomer
Jasmin Bretoi. Miller poured in 12 points, while Bretoi dropped 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Bretoi started the game 4-of-4 and 3-of-3 from outside the 3-point arc.
Stuffing the stat sheet was
Hannah Johnson,
Shanni Moorse,
Taite Anderson, and
Hannah Simpson. Johnson tallied seven points, four rebounds, and three assists, while Moorse added six points, five boards, two assists, and two blocks. Freshman
Taite Anderson finished with six points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in her collegiate debut, and
Hannah Simpson totaled six points and six rebounds.
The Royals forced the Lumber Jills into 21 turnovers, opposed to their own 15, which led to a 26-13 advantage in points off of turnovers. Moreover, BU outscored Northland 40-28 in points in the paint and 40-9 in bench points. Bethel also finished the night with 17 assists, 13 steals, and nine blocks.
Nicole Huber led Northland with 14 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals, while Bethany Best added 10 points and nine boards.
The Royals look to stay unbeaten when they travel to Milwaukee this weekend for the Paul F. Knueppel Classic hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College. Bethel will take on Carthage College Friday, November 18 at 5 p.m. and Wisconsin Lutheran College Saturday, November 19 at 3 p.m.
