The Bethel University women's basketball team knocked off the University of Northwestern-St. Paul Monday night, which proved to be their fifth consecutive win. The Royals [6-1] took charge in the first few minutes of the game, setting themselves up with a comfortable 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter and holding the Eagles [1-4] to eight points. The women ended the game with a commanding 88-48 victory.
 
The Royals monopolized the boards, scoring 21 points off rebounds opposed to Northwestern's two. Bethel's defense also defined the game, as they scored 18 more points off turnovers than the Eagles. The Royals also sank an impressive 33 points from the bench.
 
The Bethel starters lined the top of the box scores, as seven players scored seven points or more against UNW. Senior Kalli Zimmermann led the pack with 16 points and six rebounds, while Abby Miller tallied 15—nine from the outside. Hannah Johnson followed her double-doube Saturday with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Taite Anderson finished just shy of her third double-double with eight points and 10 rebounds, while Shanni Moorse and Angie Kirchoff each chipped in eight points as well.
 
BU finished the night shooting nearly 50 percent from the floor, despite a 4-of-19 mark from downtown. Meanwhile, the Royals' defense held the Eagles to just 28.8 percent shooting.
 
Bethel returns to MIAC play Wednesday when they travel to Winona, Minn., to take on Saint Mary's University in what looks to be a highly-competitive matchup against the Cardinals. Tipoff is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in SMU Gym.