ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – In its final home game before the Christmas break, the Bethel University women's basketball team defeated Carleton College 67-44 Wednesday evening inside the Robertson Center.

Bethel dominated the inside game with a 38-18 advantage on points in the paint while out rebounding the Knights 38-21, 11 of which came on the offensive end. The last time Bethel won its first six games of the season came in 2013-14. BU stays perfect in MIAC play at 3-0. Up next the Royals travel to Macalester on Saturday, Dec. 7 for a 3 p.m. tip.

10 different Royals found the scoring column led by senior forward Taite Anderson who registered a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds. Junior forward Elizabeth Schwarz had 11 points and six rebounds while junior Makenna Pearson knocked down a pair of threes. Junior guard Bella Williams was active in her 26 minutes of action collecting five steals and dishing out four assists.

After trailing on a pair of possessions midway through the first, Bethel pulled away with a 10-1 run that closed out the opening period. The Royals grew on their 16-9 lead with a strong defensive effort aided by hot shooting. BU knocked down 10 of its 14 second quarter shots including three 3-pointers while holding the Knights to just one field goal. Taite Anderson poured in 11 of Bethel's 24 points giving them a 40-19 lead at the break.   

The Royals widened their margin garnering their largest lead at 59-26 in the final minute of the third with a fast break layup from Tessah Anderson. BU's defense held the Knights to nine points in the third.

Carleton had its best quarter offensively in the fourth putting up 16 on the Royals. While Bethel went cold from 3-point range, Carleton got to the lane and the charity stripe. Making it a 67-44 victory, junior guard Mackenzie Novak laid in Bethel's final bucket off the glass on a driving layup.