ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – A strong first half performance earned the Bethel University women's basketball team an 82-39 victory over Concordia College Saturday afternoon inside the Robertson Center.

Tying a program single-game record 28 steals the Royals improved to 17-6 on the year and 11-5 in MIAC play. Bethel returns to the hardwood with a key MIAC matchup against Gustavus Adolphus at home on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

On senior day, Hannah Johnson turned in another stellar offensive performance with a game-high 21 points going a perfect 2-for-2 from 3-point range and hitting all seven of her free throw attempts. Johnson grabbed nine rebounds to go along with four blocks. Junior Taite Anderson chipped in 14 points while Haylee Barker added 10 points and five assists. Tessah Anderson and Makenna Pearson each added eight points respectively.

The Royals never trailed in Saturday's offensive outburst. Pearson knocked down a three on the Royals opening possession as Bethel opened the game on a 14-4 run through the first 4:17 play. Strong defense by the Royals forced the visiting Cobbers to hit just three off its first 11 attempts. Bethel also forced 13 turnovers and recorded 10 steals in the first 10 minutes to led 27-9 after one.

The Royals showed even stronger defense in the second quarter outscoring the opposition 17-8. Bethel held a 20-point plus lead the entire quarter as it held Concordia to just 17 first half points.

BU expanded on its 44-17 lead in the second half. The sister duo of Taite and Tessah Anderson each hit 3-pointers as Bethel held a 19-12 margin in third quarter scoring.  Fast break layups aided the Royals to open the fourth on a 12-2 run. A free throw by Lisa Hoffer gave BU its largest lead of the game at 82-35.

Concordia shoot a mere 12-of-47 (25.5 percent) from the field as the Royals also forced 37 turnovers that turned into 38 points.