DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bethel University's women's basketball team began competition in the sunshine state with a dominant 64-51 victory over St. Vincent College. The Royals (5-4, 1-2 MIAC) put together a string of runs throughout the game, highlighted by a 22-4 rally to start the second half, which led to the eventual 13-point win over the Bearcats (6-5, 3-1 PAC).
 
BU trailed SVC 12-6 with 3:26 remaining in the opening quarter, but the Royals composed a 20-4 rally over the next five minutes that led to a 26-16 lead with 8:35 remaining in the half. The Bearcats responded with a 13-6 streak later in the second frame, though, which narrowed BU's lead to four going into intermission.
 
St. Vincent's creep back into Bethel's lead was quickly squashed in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. BU went on a 22-4 run that gave the Royals a commanding 59-37 advantage with 6:24 to go in the game.
 
Bethel outrebounded SVC 42-36, which led to a 10-4 differential in second-chance scoring. The Royals also shot 43.6 percent from the floor, 35.7 percent from downtown, and 73.3 percent from the charity stripe, while holding the Bearcats to 34.4 percent shooting, including a 1-of-7 effort from outside the arc.
 
Hannah Johnson led BU with 15 points, seven rebounds, five blocks, and two steals. Abby Miller poured in 13 points, while Taite Anderson collected 12 points and eight boards. Angie Kirchoff tallied eight points, four rebounds, and three assists and Haylee Barker finished with six points, six steals, four assists, and three rebounds.
 
The Royals closeout competition in Florida tomorrow when they face MacMurray College at 3 p.m. (ET) on the campus of Bethune-Cookman. Live stats will be available here.