NORTHFIELD, Minn.—Bethel Univeristy's women's basketball team used a balanced scoring attack to snag a dominant 78-42 road win over St. Olaf College in the first game of the 2018 calendar year. The Royals (7-4, 2-2 MIAC) outscored the Oles (2-10, 0-5 MIAC) 44-17 in the final 20 minutes, which provided more than enough separation down the stretch.
 
BU shot 41.8 percent from the floor, 41.7 percent from outside the 3-point arc, and 70.6 percent from the foul stripe. Meanwhile, six players scored at least eight points and 11 found the scoring column. Not only did Bethel play well on offense, but also on defense. St. Olaf was held to just 28.2 percent shooting, including a 25.0 percent effort from downtown. Moreover, the Oles surrendered 29 turnovers opposed to Bethel's 16.
 
Taite Anderson led the Royals with 16 points, five rebounds, and two assists in 26 minutes played, while Jasmin Bretoi contributed 14 points and four boards in 14 minutes off the bench. Senior guards Abby Miller and Angie Kirchoff each recorded nine points, while Hannah Johnson and Makenna Pearson added eight.
 
BU outscored the Oles in points off turnovers (38-12), second-chance points (20-6), bench points (34-14), and points scored in the paint (22-12).
 
The Royals hope to continue their success in the New Year on Saturday, January 6, when they travel to St. Catherine University to take on the Wildcats at 3 p.m.